Protecting Warrington’s Green Belt, building new homes in the right places.
Hardworking people deserve the opportunity to own their own home, but too many first-time buyers here in Warrington South have been forced out of buying due to rising prices. This is why I really welcome the First Homes scheme, it will be life changing for people across Warrington who are looking to buy their first home.
But whilst building new affordable homes, we also need to protect and enhance the Green spaces. We need to improve poor quality land, increase biodiversity and make our beautiful countryside more accessible for local community use. In order to safeguard our green spaces, I will continue to take a “brownfield first” approach to development.
Warrington's Local Plan must prioritise brownfield sites and town centre regeneration. The Local Council is expected to publish an updated Local Plan in the Autumn following months of delays. It is vital local leaders listen to views and focus on house building away from the green belt. There is also a need to ensure local infrastructure can support new development. The town centre has been particularly impacted by Covid and the way we have changed our shopping habits. Prioritising regeneration, building homes close to future jobs and transport links such as the railway stations will benefit people looking to get on the housing ladder and our local economy.
I have also spoken recently to the ownders of the former Fiddlers Ferry Power Station who are keen to bring forward their site for new mixed development. Fiddlers Ferry wasn't included in the most recent draft local plan, I've campaigned to change this and I know the site owners, SSE want to develop the brownfield land to build homes and for commercial usage, we can't overlook this location in favour of Green Belt which developers will favour. We have one final chance to get this right.
