The issue of a new town in Winchfield is a local issue and will not be decided by MP’s in Parliament. However, many people want to know where their local parliamentary candidates for NE Hampshire stand on the issue. MP’s do have the ability to influence Government policy on the National Planning Policy Framework, and on the incentives given to develop brownfield land. Winchfield Action Group have posted on Facebook their report of the recent hustings in Odiham. This has given an interesting view of all of the candidates standing for election in the North East Hampshire constituency at the 2015 General Election #GE2015:
Conservatives (Ranil Jayawardena): Against. Brownfield development is the way forward.
Monster Raving Loony Party (Mad Max Bobetsky): Totally against building in Winchfield. It’s beautiful.
Labour (Amran Hussain): Support locally led development. Majority are against the new town in Winchfield. Endorses our suggested new approach to the Local Plan.
Greens (Andrew Johnston): Against a new town. Brownfield redevelopment should be a priority.
Libdems (Graham Cockarill): There are not enough brownfield sites in Hook and Winchfield. A new town is long term the way to go, although not necessarily in Winchfield. Note that as a councillor, Mr. Cockarill was head of planning at the time of the vote for the new town on November 27 2014 and voted in favour of it.
If you would like to know more about each candidate’s position, their contact details can be found on our contacts page.
Our understanding of the positions of the district council candidates can be found here.
As I understand it, all of the major parties have recently expressed strong support for brownfield development; but that does not necessarily translate into local policy that is adopted by local councillors.
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