Mark has led a debate on the mounting pressure of housing growth in his constituency.
For the past 15 years, about 600 homes per year have been built in the district. The draft review of the East Midlands Regional Spatial
Strategy has suggested that around the same number should continue to be built every year until 2026. This growth would continue to be the fastest as a proportion of population in the
East Midlands .
In addition, the draft review of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (a document which guides broad planning policy) - which
said that 12,900 new houses should be built in East Staffordshire from 2006 to 2026 - has hinted that South Derbyshire should absorb some of this growth. The expert panel reviewing the
East Midlands strategy has indicated potential support for this proposal.
There are also plans for a 5,700 home eco town in the National Forest between Swadlincote and Burton ,
near the former Drakelow power station, which have provoked widespread opposition.
Mark is concerned at the loss of open countryside in the district, the lack of linkage to either transport systems or services of much housing growth, and
the dislocation of housing from employment producing dormitory communities.
The adjournment debate took place at the end of Parliamentary business on Friday, February 1. The minister responding was Caroline Flint who
told Mark that the Government would only back eco-towns that had the support of the community and a sustainable transport system.
Mark said: "We will still have to wait to see, but I am reasonably optimistic that this particular project will
struggle."
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