There are plans to build 56,400 houses in Gloucestershire over the next 18 years. These plans are set out in the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South West.

Alistair Cameron, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Tewkesbury believes these plans are excessive and unsustainable for the following reasons:-

• Much of Gloucestershire is situated in land at risk of flooding and we should not be building in such areas.



• The plans are based on an assumption of national economic growth of 3.2% which is very doubtful in the current economic climate. It also assumes that a large number of workers move into Gloucestershire for jobs which do not at present exist.



• The greenbelt exists in order to prevent urban sprawl and stop the merger of Cheltenham and Gloucester and Cheltenham and Bishops Cleeve. So many extra houses would threaten the extensive loss of greenbelt land and other greenfield sites in the countryside.
  
  
• We need to preserve our countryside and all of the benefits which it brings us.
  
  
• Whilst we need affordable housing for local residents, there is no evidence that such a large increase in housing is required for local needs.