'A complete shambles': Housing policy criticised after new huge Midlands town deprioritised by government

The government’s handling of housing policy has been labelled “a complete shambles” after it de-prioritised the development of Wychavon Town.

Nigel Huddleston MP hit out after plans for the development around Worcestershire Parkway railway station were dropped from a list of ‘new towns’ being taken forward by ministers.

“The latest announcement from the government shows that their housing policy is a complete shambles, and we are seeing the effects of this in my constituency,” said Mr Huddleston.

“Labour has doubled the housing requirements for Wychavon, whilst reducing Birmingham’s by 30 percent, risking overdevelopment in our rural towns and villages.

“And now, having previously promised to ‘accelerate’ the development, the Government has ‘de-prioritised’ Wychavon Town.

“My position has always been clear – Wychavon Town should only proceed if it properly prevents overdevelopment and urban sprawl across the constituency and if it is genuinely infrastructure-led.

“The logic behind having this one central development was to take pressure off the villages and towns in my constituency.

“Many villages immediately surrounding the proposed site already have issues with water, sewerage, transport and access to health and education services.

“We will not be able to absorb 10,000 new homes unless there is support to deliver new infrastructure as well as upgrades to existing systems.”

Those issues have also been raised by a group of residents opposed to the Wychavon Town plans.

Mr Huddleston, the MP for Droitwich and Evesham, added: “The Government has got its approach all wrong.

“It has incentivised overdevelopment of rural towns and villages through unrealistic and unsustainable new housing targets whilst undermining the one development, Wychavon Town, which could prevent this.”

He said he has repeatedly asked the government how it will support Wychavon Town financially – and is now “seeking urgent clarity and reassurance that, if this development is to move forward, it will be properly supported by the government and genuinely infrastructure-led”.

“This flip-flopping has caused uncertainty for Wychavon District Council as the local planning authority, who have acted in good faith throughout this debacle; and it causes anxiety and uncertainty for my constituents,” he said.

Wychavon District Council has said it is still committed to the project, which still forms part of the government’s New Homes Accelerator programme.

We have asked the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for comment.