"Remove Threat of Demolition," say Lib Dems

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Jun 2006

At the meeting of Milton Keynes Partnership Committee (MKPC) on Monday 12 June Liberal Democrat Council Leader, Isobel McCall, secured the Committee's agreement that it rejects any reliance on demolition of houses in the growth plans for Milton Keynes.

Reports prepared by consultants for MKPC suggested that over 3,600 existing homes could be demolished in order to increase housing numbers and regenerate some of the older estates in the new city.

Isobel McCall said; "Liberal Democrats totally oppose the idea that anyone in Milton Keynes should consider demolishing existing homes in order to meet Government housing targets. Right from the start I have made my view clear to the consultants who produced the so-called demolition report, that this is no way to treat the residents of Milton Keynes. This is not the way to go about regenerating areas, either now or in the future.

Cllr McCall continued, "I would like to restate the Liberal Democrats' commitment to working with residents in areas that are showing signs of deprivation. We have already started work in Beanhill and Tinkers Bridge and will extend the work into other deprived areas. It is residents who should drive what improvements are needed for their estate and how those improvements should be delivered. I am delighted that the threat of demolition that has been hanging over thousands of people has been removed."