Developers put profit before communities, MP says

An MP has said developers have had "free rein" for too long when it comes to building homes.

Danny Chambers, who represents Winchester, answered questions from constituents in BBC Radio Solent's regular hotseat feature.

Listener Norma said plans to redevelop Bushfield Camp legacy land for housing and a hotel concerned her.

"We need to use brownfield sites first and keep these spaces as the green lung of Winchester," she said.

Mr Chambers said the "developer-led" approach to building needed to be stopped, adding: "They will still make profit, maybe less but enough."

He said it was absolutely the policy to use brownfield sites for housing first, before considering development on greenfields.

Amir said he had seen an increase in traffic because of development in the Weeke area.

He has been giving out leaflets raising concerns about planned development at Lanham Lane and the impact it may have on local roads and services.

Mr Chambers did not comment on individual developments, but said "new infrastructure, doctors surgeries, improvements to sewage systems, school provision must happen first, before development was allowed".

He said the Liberal Democrat council in Winchester city had pledged to provide 1,000 new council houses by 2032.

He added a new doctors surgery had opened in the middle of the city in the last few weeks.

Sharon said she had been able to buy her council home under right to buy.

"I'd could never afford a home now," she said. "You have to win the lottery to buy a house here."

Mr Chambers said it was important developers were made to deliver on affordable housing targets.

Labour promised to build 1.5 million new homes in its election manifesto.

The government has said it will meet the house-building target in England by 2029, before the next general election.

BBC analysis shows the number of new homes in England continued to fall during the first six months Labour was in power.

The construction industry has warned it is dealing with a chronic shortage of skilled workers.

There are also concerns about the availability of basic building materials, including bricks and timber.

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