MP ADDS SUPPORT TO FIGHT ON HOMES PLANS

FINHAM residents fighting housing plans have received backing from their MP.

Members of the Finham Residents Association (FRA) met with Jim Cunningham, Labour MP for Coventry South, and handed him a petition with around 3,700 signatures against proposals for new homes to be built on green belt land bordering the city.

Residents fear the extra homes, around 3,500 properties earmarked for Kings Hill, just over the border in Warwickshire, will put pressure on Coventry’s infrastructure including schools, jobs and transport.

Mr Cunningham is concerned the development is being “plonked on the doorsteps” of his constituents. He might present the petition to the House of Commons.

He said: “I want to support the residents – this is the third time I have visited here because I know people are concerned about these housing plans. I have had a good look around and if they build houses then the area will be desolate and create environmental problems.

“I have a copy of the petition, which I might present at the House of Commons, but I also want to ask Warwick District Council if they are looking at any alternatives.”

As part of the government’s Core Strategy, 82,000 homes need to be built in Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull. It has been suggested Coventry could house 32,000 of these.

After consultations, Coventry City Council declared it could only accommodate 26,500, leaving a shortfall of several thousand homes.

Warwick District Council might pick up some of the shortfall with the 3,500 homes on the site of King’s Hill, as the site shares a border with Coventry, but this has left Finham residents up in arms.

A council meeting took place on Wednesday.

Residents, who were not allowed to speak in the meeting, lobbied councillors as they entered the council house in the city centre.

They wore stickers opposing the plans and held placards with messages protesting against the houses.

Bob Fryer, chairman of the FRA, said: “There is a lot of opposition from people in Finham and we feel ignored because of the lack of consultation from either council.

“But we don’t agree with these plans and want to ensure our voice is being heard. We have handed our petition to both councils and now an MP.”