Lib Dems Score Major Victory in Mereham Battle (South East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats)

South East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats <info@secambslibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems Score Major Victory in Mereham Battle

July 20, 2009 6:21 PM

East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have scored a major victory in the battle to keep the Mereham new town firmly dead and buried.

They have persuaded the East of England Regional Assembly to give a resounding thumbs down to a move to put the project back on the agenda.

Members, which include representatives of the region's 52 councils and organisations, acknowledged that the government will push the project out for consultation again - but without their support.

Developers, Multiplex, who want to build 5,000 new homes, schools, offices and shops between Wilburton and Stretham, are pushing to get the project included in the Regional Plan.

Liberal Democrat leader, Gareth Wilson, who has led the fight against Mereham from the outset, said: "This is a great victory. This sends a clear message to the government that no-one in the East of England wants to see this new town built.

"This project is being imposed upon us by central government and we have no intention of supporting it. Now we have the backing of influential people from across the region who also want to see an end to this project."

Cllr Gareth Wilson attended the East of England Regional Assembly on Thursday as a substitute member after county Lib Dem leader, David Jenkins was unable to attend.

Cllr Gareth Wilson called for an amendment to a motion acknowledging the government's move towards public consultation on a number of planning issues, including Mereham, saying that members did not support them.

Members also agreed that if developments are given the go-ahead "timely" infrastructure, such as new roads and transport links, should be included to prevent developers building homes without them.