Interview with MP Brian White (when he was an MP) |
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Are you in favour of expansion? Whether we like it or not expansion is inevitable because market forces will drive housing development here. The real issue is to ensure we don't bury our heads in the sand and end up with the problems suffered by Bracknell and Basingstoke where a decade ago they experienced similar growth but without the necessary infrastructure to support it. I have argued strongly for sustainable communities and we must learn from our previous success in Milton Keynes and deal with expansion properly. When will these thousands of new houses actually be built? The 70,000 homes will not be built overnight. In fact the expansion will be in line with the traditional growth of Milton Keynes over the last 30 years - which is around 2,000 new homes each year. We must remember this is a gradual expansion. So will it solve the housing problems in the city and bring plenty of affordable council homes? The plans talk of a fifth of the new homes being affordable? but this means slightly less than the market value. Unfortunately only five per cent of the homes being built will be social housing. It's up to the Cabinet committee of Milton Keynes Council to change that level. There are 1,500 families in temporary accommodation at present in Milton Keynes so I'd certainly like to see that policy changed. The Milton Keynes Partnership board has been established to oversee the development, but it seems this Partnership is representing the hierarchy and not the man in the street. Do you agree? No, I think it is fairly represented by members of the council, English Partnerships, the business community, health and transport groups and the voluntary sector etc. However, I do feel there are gaps as far as communication for residents and community groups are concerned. This is why I am aiming to put a mechanism in place to address this problem. I'm currently working with residents of Caldecotte to get their views heard on development plans which I want to use as a template for the future. So do you agree the man in the street isn't being consulted properly? There is a lot of consultation taking place regarding the expansion proposals but I agree that it is perhaps not at the level for the ordinary people. What we need to do is get the professional talk translated into plain speak and legitimate consultation at local level. There are complex issues that need to be distilled so that all residents can understand them. The Partnership is open but we need to ensure it is transparent. I like the idea of an on-line of diary to detail how the expansion is progressing. That way the public can log on and read in simple terms exactly what has happened each day regarding the proposed growth. People could then send their comments. Are you confident then that this government growth plan will be successfully achieved? I'm happy with what the government has done in setting up a structure for expansion but whether those involved are competent to deliver is a different matter. Can you elaborate on that? I am confident with the people on the Partnership but it's the bureaucracy that supports them that concerns me and whether everyone can work together to get it right. I'm worried about the competency of the council to deliver, the competency of English Partnerships and the attitude of some of the developers. But I hoped those fears do not turn into reality. I see it as my job to put sufficient pressure on them to make sure that they do deliver. There has been a lot of government investment into Milton Keynes over the last 30 years but will that support continue? Absolutely. The government is committed to continuing to invest money into our city for planning, education and health facilities. So will our children and grandchildren live in a better Milton Keynes in the future? Yes, definitely. I've lived here for 20 years and it's the best place in the country to live; I'm certain it will continue to be the best place to live. |
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