Too Many Houses?

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Jun 2003

Vincent Cable MP for Twickenham

The most recent figures on house construction in the borough show that of the target 4860 dwellings agreed with the government under the London Plan for the next 20 years ( to 2016), 80% have already been built or earmarked for development in the first five years.

Vincent Cable, MP, who has published the figures said that "we are repeatedly being told by the council that infill housing developments have to proceed and that new land has to be designated for executive or luxury housing - but the council is "

"way ahead of its targets, which are voluntary in any event".

(1) New homes required 1997-2016 4860*

(2) Already built or underway 3512

(3) Earmarked sites by 20016 642

(4) Not yet provided for 725*

*excluding 'unconventional' housing such as nursing homes

Vincent Cable added: "residents are constantly being told that there is no alternative to the blocks of 'luxury' flats being put up by developers on every patch of vacant land in Teddington, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick and Twickenham. "

"There may be a shortage of cheap, affordable, houses for key workers and over crowded families; but these are not the "

"vast majority of homes being provided by developers. The character of many parts of the borough is being inexorably changed by overdevelopment and higher densities and there is no need for it. "

"It is time for the council to say no to developers particularly to the many small developments being squeezed into back gardens and tiny pockets of land."