Wellingborough candidates share housing views

A number of housing developments have been built in recent years

Wellingborough is expected to see its population rise over the next few years as new housing is built to meet government targets.

The constituency includes areas which have been earmarked for a government target of 100,000 new homes to be developed by 2021.

But the candidates hoping to become the constituency's MP have mixed views on how the area should develop in the years to come.

Conservative candidate Peter Bone, who has represented the constituency since 2005, said many people in the area felt there had been too much development.

He said that the government should not be making key planning decisions in the area, arguing that it causes "resentment" in the community.

"Local councils responsible to local people should decide what development takes place," Mr Bone said.

He has also raised concerns that infrastructure, such as education and health facilities in the area, would not be able to cope with an influx of new residents.

'Anonymous estates'

Jayne Buckland, the Labour candidate, said her main concern was that enough affordable housing was available.

She said that any "significant" new development should include affordable housing.

"Where there is new housing, I'd like to see smaller developments rather than huge anonymous housing estates with no local amenities nearby," she said.

Ms Buckland added that the borough and county councils may be able to get funding for new infrastructure from developers and central government.

Liberal Democrat candidate Kevin Barron said he was against central government imposing its vision on the area, and that planning decisions should be taken locally.

"It should be down to local borough councils... if [local people] don't like what they're planning, you vote them out," he said.

Mr Barron also raised concerns about the provision of council housing, saying there were not enough properties in the area.

He added: "Local government needs to be freed up and be allowed to build new houses when they've got the money."

The general election will take place on Thursday.

The candidates standing in Wellingborough are Liberal Democrat: Kevin Barron; Conservative: Peter Bone; Labour: Jayne Buckland; Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition: Paul Crofts; Independent: Gary Donaldson; UK Independence Party: Adrian Haynes; Green: Jonathan Hornett; Independent: Marcus Lavin; English Democrats: Terry Spencer; BNP: Robert Walker.