A couple of weeks ago, I was on Radio Kent debating with Cllr Garland why the Conservatives felt that the current housing plan of 10,000 houses needed to be increased to 16,000.
As I argued that there were a high number of long term empty properties and the the most recent plans for where housing might go had builder putting up mansions across farmland and woodland. He admitted that the reason the Tories wanted even more houses was to boost economic growth.To be fair to Cllr Garland, he seemed non-plussed with the idea and said that the increased were being driven by central government.
My challenge to him is two-fold:
Firstly, looks at the need for housing based on people's needs rather than government dictate or a slavish beholdance to economic growth for the sake of, er... economic growth (and shareholder profit).
Secondly, don't put homes on greenfield sites but build high density housing close to town. Make it affordable, not just 80% of average price but really affordable so that young families can have someone to live. Stop the wasteful empty houses staying empty - it is within your power.
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