Calum Miller
@calummillerld.bsky.social
2.7K followers
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230 posts
MP for Bicester and Woodstock. Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Foreign Affairs.
Promoted by North Oxfordshire Lib Dems, 5C Grange Court, OX14 3NB
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![Dear Steve
I read with interest the announcement you made to Labour conference on new towns. In particular, I noted that you have accepted the recommendation of the New Towns taskforce that the Heyford airfield should be a potential site, among the twelve. This site straddles my Bicester and Woodstock constituency and the Banbury constituency of Sean Woodcock (to whom I am copying this letter).
This is a very significant proposal for all the areas listed as potential new towns so I am disappointed that it was not made to Parliament so that the MPs representing those areas could ask questions of you about it. I hope you will provide that opportunity soon after we return to Parliament after the conference recess.
Residents in the current Heyford Park development – as well as those from the surrounding villages – have raised a series of questions with me about the prospective plan. Not knowing that you would make this announcement, I met with local councillors and parish council representatives from 10 local parishes on Wednesday 24 September. They also had a number of questions.
How will you ensure that social and physical infrastructure is funded and delivered first, before the new homes are occupied [recommendations 7, 10]?
How will you take account of cumulative effect from developments in a given area, especially if these are outside the local plan (either speculative development or nationally significant projects)?
Will you accept the recommendation of the taskforce that new town developments should count towards an areas housing targets and be included as part of their estimated Five Year Housing Land Supply [recommendation 13]?
How will the role of local communities in decision making be protected and enhanced?
What expectations do you have for how local communities and their representatives will be included in the development of proposals [recommendation 13]?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ngp2jhy5csweep6mcalvwo2s/bafkreibxxeftgses557tcqlpcuvi72utp5gqk7bs36ki3euklddol7vdve@jpeg)
![How will you secure accountability for delivery of community assets, and deliver the recommendation of the taskforce for long-term stewardship of these [recommendation 12]?
Please may I request a meeting with you and your officials to understand better how local communities – and the MPs who represent them – will be consulted and involved as the New Towns Unit takes forward its work?
I hope we might also share some useful insights. In our area, we have some experience of the challenges of delivering rapid housing growth – including close to Heyford at the North West Bicester site. I have previously discussed this with other ministerial colleagues from DESNZ, DfT, MHCLG, and Treasury. This is a salutary tale of the need to join up transport, energy, housing and environmental/ water - and it accords with paragraph 119 of the report:
“Stakeholders consistently highlighted the challenges of navigating fragmented national decision-making, encompassing not just housing but also transport, utilities, health, and education infrastructure, leading to delays and uncertainty that undermine local planning and deter private investment.”
Many of my constituents understand and support the need for more affordable and social housing. All of them would like to see an improvement in local infrastructure to support existing communities. There are constructive conversations to be had about how this programme could proceed. However, I want to make sure that we take advantage of local knowledge and that we respect the views of local communities who will be affected by this very significant project.
I therefore look forward to a chance to meet with you soon to discuss how you envisage developing the ambitious proposal for Heyford airfield.
Yours sincerely,
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Calum Miller MP](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ngp2jhy5csweep6mcalvwo2s/bafkreift5lkoqc6cjk2wefpryf3m6hbs7efhh3mv3toi7neup6nlz2fzuq@jpeg)
Reposted by Calum Miller
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