P-04-351 Recall LDP’s

Petition wording:

We call upon the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh government to recall all Local Development Plans across Wales and to scrap the use of population projections issued by the Statistical Directorate that are used to inflate housing numbers in local development plans. We call for all LDPs at whatever stage of development to be halted immediately in order to bring the level of housing growth in line with genuine local needs.

We the undersigned view all LDPs guided by the Welsh Government’s population projections as ill thought out, fundamentally flawed and detrimental to the communities of Wales.

This type of planning is not sustainable, is not needed and is not wanted by the people of Wales. In order to halt the damage that is already being done and to prevent further irreversible damage and devastation to our communities, environment and identity across Wales, we appeal to the Welsh Government to intervene immediately.

Petition raised by: Councillor Carrie Harper

Date petition first considered by Committee: 10 January 2012

Number of signatures:2,471

Supporting information:

WAG’s population projection formula is fundamentally flawed, relying heavily on trends of past in migration into Wales and not taking into account the issue of affordability. The use of this formula continues to lead to unnaturally high levels of housing and population growth which will be implemented via our LDPs. The implications of implementing such plans are huge, affecting many aspects of life across the country:

Identity and human rights (in terms of Welsh identity, language, culture, character and expression). Environmentally (in terms of sustainability, ecology, natural habitat and the built environment) and societal sustainability (in terms of demographics, economics, politics and communities).

Local authorities have stated publicly they are fearful of deviating to any great extent from the figures issued by the WAG for fear of having their LDPs found ‘unsound’ by the Planning Inspectorate. This ensures that local opinion is sidelined during the LDP preparation process and our elected representatives are left struggling to challenge unsustainable levels of housing growth.