It's vital to recognise the importance of sustainable and sensible housebuilding across North Yorkshire. While the need for new homes is undeniable, proposals like Angela Rayner’s plan for a three hundred percent increase in housebuilding are simply unsustainable. I have long supported the building of homes—especially first-time homes for local residents who face immense challenges navigating a competitive and costly housing market. As a proud advocate of home ownership, I will always back the delivery of new homes, but it must be done in the right places and with the right people in mind, ensuring that everyone can have a stake in society.
This campaign is not just about housebuilding; it’s about balance. Setting arbitrary government targets without considering the real needs of the area risks leaving us with the wrong homes in the wrong places for the wrong people. Instead, our approach must prioritise the kind of housing that truly benefits local communities, especially young people and first-time buyers. If we are to meet any government-imposed targets, we must also see substantial investment in infrastructure—something the current Government seems reluctant to provide.
This campaign is a call for collaboration. I am committed to working across party lines, alongside the York and North Yorkshire Mayor, North Yorkshire Council and national government, to ensure that our area gets both the homes and the infrastructure it needs to support healthy, thriving communities. Together, we can shape the future of housing in North Yorkshire in a way that is both sustainable and beneficial for everyone.
Picture credit: A recent visit to a housing development in Thirsk.