Why do we need new homes?
Hampshire needs new homes to meet the needs of its residents and to meet changing household patterns. People generally live longer, marry later, leave the family home earlier and divorce more than in previous generations. Even without population growth, more homes are needed than was the case a generation ago. In addition, we should plan for some people wishing to move to the county for work, which is needed to ensure continued economic prosperity.
Holding out for a contract with Government
When considering where the new development should be located, it is important that key services are available to meet the extra demand. These key services include schools, health facilities, affordable housing, libraries, community centres, utilities, roads and other transport schemes.
Traffic jams, trains that are full and public transport delays are a daily reminder of the weaknesses in the transport infrastructure. This isn’t just frustrating for people; it is also inefficient for business and industry, and hinders economic growth.
How the Government, councils and the private sector can meet such costs is clearly a critical issue. The South East Plan emphasises that development can only go ahead where it goes hand in hand with adequate and timely investment in supporting infrastructure and services. We need to see steady and planned improvements in infrastructure.