'Putting Frindsbury development on hold, highlights the Council's poor housing plan' says Lib Dems Strood North by-election candidate

Alan Wells, Lib Dems candidate for this week's Strood North by-election said "The news that Medway Council's planning committee has deferred a proposal to deliver 181 houses in Frindsbury, alongside a new academy for 1,150 pupils and a wedding venue, highlights the Council's poor housing planning.

This is not an urban area, this is an area on the edge of the countryside where the density of development should be reduced. The deferment will give an opportunity to scrutinise the Frindsbury development plan and its impact on local residents.

Whilst I recognise the need for new housing, it must be in the right places, where there is good provision of infrastructure. We would concentrate new housing developments in areas with good bus and rail links to reduce car usage, and in locations where there is scope to provide decent pedestrian, cycling and public transport connections.

Throughout this by-election campaign our message has been consistent, Liberal Democrats would improve environmental standards around Strood and Frindsbury by adopting sensible and consistently applied planning policies which are in line with the surrounding environment.

The Conservative-led Council, by not having yet adopted a Local Plan, has lost control over developments in order to meet the Government's housing targets and this means developers often win their planning appeals, thereby causing great harm to our green spaces."

ENDS

Notes and additional text for Editors:

Alan Wells Strood North Candidate

Alan has been an active member of Medway Liberal Democrats since 2018 and has campaigned in Kent elections for the last 3 years. Alan has previously been a Candidate for River Ward in the 2019 local elections and has been Press Officer for the local party since January 2019.

Alan is a natural, enthusiastic campaigner on a wide range of issues. He has a strong understanding of social justice and campaigned in the our mental health unit campaign. He has been active on a number of our issues, such as defending the environment, homelessness issues and campaigning on air quality issues.

Alan Wells said "I feel privileged to represent the Liberal Democrats for Strood North. I have been working in the ward as a care assistant for 2 years and know the ward very well and I am determined to work hard to represent the residents of the ward"

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