CPRE Devon challenges house building figures - commissioning research to establish the real demand for new homes

Sharon Goble
Authored by Sharon Goble
Posted Monday, January 15, 2018 - 12:21pm

The Devon Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is commissioning evidence-based research to question the number of new homes that need to be built on greenfield sites to meet the county’s housing needs.

At a meeting in Exeter next week, CPRE Devon will announce the appointment of independent consultants to carry out a proper analysis of the figures used to justify the building of tens of thousands of new homes across Devon over the next ten years.

Around one hundred and fifty individuals and organisations have already booked to attend CPRE Devon’s free seminar “New housing and the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP)”.

East Devon MP Sir Hugo Swire will put the drive to build new homes into a national context. Guest speakers Simon Thornley and Andy Wood from GESP will provide details about the new homes planned for Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge, and the impact these developments will have on communities and infrastructure.

Penny Mills, Director of CPRE Devon, said: “This is a key opportunity for people to find out more about the new homes planned for their community and the greenfield sites threatened by development. How many homes will be genuinely affordable? How will roads and services be affected? Will further infrastructure be needed to cope?”

“As a campaigning organisation, we think it is vital that any future house building is based on real rather than perceived demand, to avoid Devon’s beautiful green landscape being squandered.”

The seminar takes place at the Gipsy Hill Hotel in Pinhoe from 10 am - 12.30 pm on Friday 19th January 2018.

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