Inspector slams Hedge End SDA proposals

6.11.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th Sep 2009

Winchester City Council's strategy for the proposed development of 6,000 houses at Hedge End has been described as "unsound" by the planning inspector, following an advisory visit between August 24th and 28th.

Liz Leffman, prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley, and Lib Dems in Durley, Upham and Curdridge have been campaigning for months for the Strategic Development Area (SDA) to be scrapped. Hundreds of people signed a "Stop the Sprawl" petition which Liz, Cllr Peter Mason and local campaigner Jo White took to 10 Downing Street in early August.

The inspector also wrote that the plans for the SDA do not comply with the requirements of the South East Plan, and criticised WCC for not being "upfront" about the problems posed by the development.

Liz Leffman said "We have known for a long time that the SDA proposal is flawed. The consultation process has been very poorly managed and many people in the area that will be affected simply had no idea that this number of houses were planned. I am very pleased that the inspector supports our view of this and I am hopeful that the plans will now be scrapped.

Jo White added: "The Liberal Democrat Focus Team will continue to fight to ensure that this badly thought through plan is shelved."