Sue joins forces with Friends of the Earth over Dunsfold Plans

12.28.20am GMT Thu 26th Mar 2009

Sue Doughty has announced her support for the Dunsfold Plan for a new sustainable village on the site of the current airfield.

She said "As an MP, week after week I had people visit my surgery who couldn't get a decent home for their family. This proposal combines sustainability with a realistic approach to housing which does not rely on infill or on building on the greenbelt."

The involvement by Friends of the Earth has impressed Sue who added "So often developers pay lip service to sustainability but we are seeing genuine commitment to a new approach to communities. Of course we must see a firm and lasting transport plan which will deal with the additional traffic, but most importantly we must recognise the very real housing needs in our communities which are just not being met. This plan proposes a great approach to affordable housing for local people."

The plan to create a working community at the site has been welcomed by Sue.

"I, along with many other environmentalists have spent a lot of time looking at this site, and also weighing up the opposition. It is clear to me that we should welcome a development which looks set to be the most advanced in Europe, well in advance of Guildford's twin town, Frieburg. This will give great opportunities for the creation of Green Jobs in the UK and the development of world leading expertise in so many aspects of carbon reduction."

Sue has been disappointed with the opponents of the scheme. She said, "It is clear that many have not taken the trouble to even understand what is involved and particularly disappointing that the strong need for affordable homes in the area for local people has been ignored. Local families deserve better"

Although Sue has joined forces with others in opposing the South East Plan which forces London overspill into the area she wants to see more effort put into finding homes for local people. "Building on an old airfield with careful screening is a far better solution than trying to cram more houses into smaller spaces" she says.