On 16 May, Steve Brine, Conservative candidate for Winchester, sent us the following email:
“I would ask constituents to simply look at my record working for many years as one of the local MPs in support of ADD. From the start, I have expressed concerns Eastleigh Borough Council wants options B and C as its preferred way forward for mass development in the borough. This Local Plan option will also include 29,000 square metres of offices and effectively concrete over the last green space in the Bishopstoke area.
“I want to see the council look towards solving traffic and infrastructure issues before committing to ANY solution and to finally conduct proper consultation with my constituents.
“I am also very concerned the new housing would be built right up to the border of the South Downs National Park and feel we urgently need to halt what is increasingly looking like an unstoppable march towards ruining the character of our communities.
“I feel strongly it would be a huge mistake and simply cannot understand why those in charge at the council seem so intent on burying one of the few truly open tracts of countryside left in the area under concrete when other options are available.
“From the start I have responded to widespread concerns from local people who are understandably extremely worried this is the plan the borough council wants and it is my duty to make sure I speak for them.
“Eastleigh Borough Council is formulating its plans in isolation and not working with or taking into consideration the impact of development in the borough will have on the parts of Winchester bordering Eastleigh such as Colden Common and Chandler’s Ford.
“Eastleigh Borough Council need to get a grip and formulate a Local Plan, like Conservative run Winchester, that takes people with it and protects our countryside from unplanned development by predatory developers.”
Steve Brine, Conservative candidate for Winchester
