Chris Huhne

Chris Huhne and the Liberal Democrats believe passionately in maintaining the character of our long-standing towns and villages: Hedge End, Botley, West End, Fair Oak, Bishopstoke and Eastleigh. That is why we strongly opposed the plan for a 6,000 house new town north and north of Hedge End, as outlined in the South East plan. The Liberal Democrats promised to scrap the plan, and consult properly on how to provide homes for local people. Chris Huhne challenged the Conservative-controlled Hampshire County Council to stop the plan by refusing to sell the county-owned land on which it would be built.

Similarly, the Liberal Democrats are fighting to block the development of a gravel pit on the Hamble airfield. The gravel pit would create noise, traffic congestion and dust through hundreds of lorry movements on the already overcrowded Hamble Lane. The plan, backed once again by Conservative-controlled Hampshire County Council, would also turn the site into an official “brownfield site”. This would make it easier for owners Persimmon Homes to get planning permission to build houses. Persimmon has given substantial donations to the Conservative party.

The Liberal Democrats have always opposed over-development, preferring to find sites for necessary new homes on old industrial land in existing settlements (for example the Pirelli and Causton sites in Eastleigh). The Lib Dems have kept greenfield building to a minimum, worked to save jobs and are making sure enough homes have been built for local people.