Mid Norfolk candidates debate housing policy

The candidates fighting for the Mid Norfolk seat have highlighted the concerns over housing development and the need for affordable homes.

The rural areas of the constituency are popular with commuters which has driven up the price of houses - leading to a shortage of affordable homes.

This has led to plans for thousands of new homes, which in turn has led to concerns about overdevelopment.

Conservative candidate George Freeman said: "I will fight for a more sensitive approach to the planning of Attleborough (earmarked for 4,000 extra homes) and Wymondham (set for 3,000 new homes) and support the residents there who are right to be concerned about plans for their towns.

"We need some housing of cause but we need long term housing and jobs and community facilities spread out across our community, not dumped lazily where it suits the government and developers.

'Affordable social housing'

"I will push for Norfolk to be a pilot for the new Conservative local housing trusts which will make it easier for communities to design their own small scale developments."

Labour candidate Elizabeth Hughes said: "I acknowledge the shortage of affordable housing in Mid Norfolk to either buy or rent.

"I support the building of affordable social housing to rent, by councils and housing associations, especially in areas of smaller population in the area, that is protected from being sold and removed from the local housing stock.

"Why are the Tory District councils of Norfolk not doing more - both in directly, and indirectly, providing social housing and in offering mortgage facilities at advantageous rates to first time buyers?"

Liberal Democrat candidate David Newman said it was vital that new housing was both sustainable and affordable.

"As Norfolk's economy grows pressure on housing increases, a number of new developments are planned for the area such as the controversial 3,400 home Rackheath eco town," he said.

"I feel that these developments can only be supported if they accommodate affordable housing for local communities and are sustainable in terms of energy efficiency and pressure on local amenities."

The general election takes place on 6 May.

The declared candidates for Mid Norfolk are: Green: Tim Birt; UK Independence Party: Toby Coke; Conservative: George Freeman; Labour: Elizabeth Hughes; BNP: Christine Kelly; Lib Dem: David Newman.