Conservative councillors are backing the bid by South Cambs District Council to take up a government offer for councils to borrow so they can build more affordable homes.
“As the Opposition at SCDC, we said we will support sensible policies – and this is one of them” said Conservative leader Cllr Peter Topping.
“We pressed the government to allow South Cambridgeshire to borrow so we could build more council houses.
“The reply I had in April from Dominic Raab, the Housing Minister at the time, was encouraging. We pitched not only was there the need to provide affordable houses for our residents, but we had an excellent track record of delivery.
“He asked us if we were a local authority ready to start building new homes – we said we had already started!”
In the last four years – 2014-18 – under the Conservatives, South Cambs District Council built 74 new council homes, in villages including Swavesey, Foxton, Gamlingay, Great Abington and Waterbeach.
The Council is currently on site with developer partners building 33 new build homes, and a further 36 new homes will start on site by the end of the year – all work begun under the Conservative administration.
“This bid to the government to enable a further 149 affordable houses is a welcome continuation of our work” said Cllr Topping.
“There are risks, and borrowing £17m isn’t to be taken lightly, so we expect the new administration at South Cambs to exercise due diligence in working with house builders.”
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Peter Topping
Peter Topping
District Councillor for Whittlesford, County Councillor for Duxford and Conservative leader at SCDC
3 Cambridge Road
Newton
CB22 7PL
Phone
07825 876582
E-mail
Peter Topping
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South Cambridgeshire Conservative Association
You can write or visit us at:
South Cambridgeshire Conservative Association
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149-151 St Neots Road
Hardwick
CB23 7QJ
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scca@southcambsconservatives.co.uk