Marcus Jones, the MP for Nuneaton, has again spoken of his concerns about the Borough Plans which threaten large parts of Nuneaton and Hartshill with unwanted mass housing development, during a Parliamentary debate secured by the proactive MP.  

The town’s MP has for months been raising concerns about the approach being taken by the Labour Councils covering Nuneaton and Hartshill.

The local MP secured a Commons debate to raise issues with the Planning Minister. The debate took place in the House of Commons Chamber on Friday 22nd November 2013. During the debate, Marcus raised a number of concerns to which the Planning Minister, Nick Boles MP, responded in full.

The Minister commented that Marcus had “made a strong and persuasive argument about the need to consult people who may not live within the boundaries of the borough drawing up a plan, but who live just across that boundary and will be as affected—possibly more affected—by a proposed development.” The Minister indicated that he would talk to officials in the Department for Communities and Local Government about whether the guidance on consultation makes it clear that it is not sufficient to consult only those who reside in the borough that is drawing up the plan, which has been the case affecting people living in Hartshill.

Commenting, Marcus said: “I was delighted to have been able to secure this important debate. Many local people are very concerned at Labours flawed Borough Plans which will affect many people in Nuneaton and Hartshill.

“Many local people consider that the consultation process to date has been poor. They are unhappy at the way in which evidence has been overlooked and the way in which the proposals look and sound very much like a political fix.

“People also fear the consequence of large scale developments, which don’t seem to have adequate or realistic infrastructure to support them, and don’t take into account the effect on the settled community, so I am pleased that as a result of the debate the Minister has agreed to discuss these issues further with officials, particularly in relation to neighbouring Council boundaries which causes a great deal of frustration to local people.

“Ultimately, the independent Planning Inspectorate will have to sign off these plans and now I have these concerns ‘on the record’ I will be bringing them to the attention of the Inspectorate.”