Mid Worcestershire Liberal Democrats

Press Release 7th March 

 Speaking in the debate on Affordable Housing at the Party’s Spring Conference in Harrogate last Saturday, Margaret Rowley, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Mid-Worcestershire, highlighted the problems experienced by young people in rural Mid-Worcestershire in obtaining a foothold on the property ladder.

"Young people are unable to afford to buy homes in the villages in which they were brought up, and have been forced to move away, usually into nearby cities and towns.

"Many of the former council houses have been sold under the right to buy legislation.

Some social rented housing has come forward under section 106 planning agreements but demand has outstripped supply. Even if all the housing planned to be built in the District up to 2010 were to be social housing, the demand would not be met." she said.

Ed Davey MP, Shadow Secretary of State for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, outlined the Party’s proposals to unlock more privately-owned land at affordable prices by involving local communities and residents in the establishment of community land trusts and shared ownership schemes.

First time buyers would benefit under Liberal Democrat proposals for using the planning system to deliver more affordable homes to rent, and shared ownership properties.