MP SEEKS PUBLIC SUPPORT TO SUSPEND RSS HOUSING PLANS

12.00.00am GMT Mon 9th Feb 2009

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt is asking residents in Solihull to sign her husband's petition on the Prime Minister's No 10 website. Mr Burt, who is a parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats in Worcestershire, is calling on Gordon Brown to suspend the Regional Spatial Strategy, which has resulted in controversial plans for huge housing expansion across the region, including 20,600 extra houses in Solihull.

"These latest government plans to treble the initial number of new houses previously agreed for Solihull cannot remain unchallenged, " said Lorely.

"Nick Clegg has announced that he will suspend the Regional Spatial Strategy review and allow councils across the country to work together with local communities to determine their own sustainable housing needs.

"The Regional Spatial Strategy has been dictated by central government on a predict and provide basis that bears no relation to the current economic reality or to future job prospects.

"If these current proposals were adopted, developers could keep options on great swathes of the Meriden Gap, threatening the very existence of our vital green corridor.

"I would encourage constituents to take this chance to let Gordon Brown know what they think of his plans."

Mr Burt's petition can be found at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SuspendRSS/ for anyone who wishes to sign. The closing date is 3rd April.