This is a joint statement on our Labour approach to planning concerns in Rotherham issued by myself and fellow Labour Parliamentary candidates
We want Rotherham to be a successful, thriving town.
We want to see more jobs and businesses, better places to visit and more homes so young local families can set up or buy their own home, and others have the local housing they need.
If Rotherham is to be successful in future, we must plan for this now. This means we can’t duck decisions on the most suitable areas for the new jobs, transport, recreation and housing we need. And Rotherham Council has a legal duty to lead this planning.
Every week Rotherham families come to us as MPs or councillors desperate to live locally in their community, and that means we have to build new homes for the next generation otherwise we deny our children and grandchildren the right to live in Rotherham. Building Rotherham means work for local employers and jobs for Rotherham workers.
We believe the first choice for development should be land that’s been used before, so called “brownfield” areas. But we also know that open areas or “greenfield” land will be needed, just as it has been in the past, and in some places this may have to be land designated as “greenbelt”.
We will work to make sure Rotherham Council provides clear information on all the options, and consults people fully on their views. As part of its work on Rotherham’s long-term plan we want the Council to take a fresh look at the number of new homes our area needs over the next 15 years and whenever it’s necessary to consider using open land in “greenbelt” areas for new homes, businesses or public parks this is kept to an absolute minimum.
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