Staines High-rise Development - the Liberal Democrat view
Cross-party support is crucial
For over a year now progression, albeit slow, has been made in respect of the Local Plan. It is not without controversy and very soon some difficult choices will have to be made.
Liberal Democrats have long been critical of the unrealistic housing target being foisted upon Spelthorne Council by the current Government, with a completely inflexible approach from them on the matter. If not reversed or amended this situation is likely to force the Council into making a very unpalatable choice; releasing some Green Belt land for housing together with significant high rise development in Staines to meet these imposed targets. Even if the Council were to max out building in Staines this still might not be enough.
Liberal Democrats do not believe that unrestricted development right across Staines town is the right answer. It would dramatically change the face of the town, for the worse in our view, and fail to capitalise on the Town's best asset, the river frontage, for the benefits of its residents. Local Councillor Chris Bateson is being pragmatic on the subject. In an effort to win cross-party support he is promoting the idea of zoning Staines so that any high rise building if agreed would be placed well back from the riverfront. This would protect the Town's most precious area which can then be looked at to develop as an attractive place for people to visit and utilise.
Chris states that right across the political spectrum of the Council, people have expressed immense dissatisfaction at the failure of the Government to recognise that the housing numbers they seek cannot be delivered. Apart from infrastructure issues, the idea to cram as many people into the town in a mass of high rise flats is not what I believe local people want. Whilst some high rise building may be inevitable, they should be proportionate and other areas of the Borough taking their fair share.