Prospective MP Condemns Conservative Councillors Over Secret Housing Plans

Paul Hodgkinson, a prominent local councillor and prospective Member of Parliament for the North Cotswolds, has voiced strong opposition against recently uncovered clandestine proposals by Conservative Party leaders at Gloucestershire County Council.

The plans, revealed by Gloucestershire Live over the weekend, outline a vision statement for the construction of a garden town in Moreton-in-Marsh, potentially introducing 7,000 new dwellings to the area by 2051.

Cllr Hodgkinson expressed dismay at the lack of openness surrounding the development. He criticised the hypocrisy of Conservative Councillors and the area’s Member of Parliament Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown who, while publicly criticising Liberal Democrat-led Cotswold District Council for addressing the Conservative government’s targets on housing, were secretly formulating huge building projects in Moreton way beyond anything Cotswold District Council is proposing.

Paul Hodgkinson said: "These secret plans paint a stark picture of political plotting.  The Conservatives' attempt to deflect blame onto the Lib Dems for Government required housing targets while harbouring their own concealed agenda is truly staggering and smacks of hypocrisy. Such actions only serve to deepen public scepticism towards politicians."

"Our roads, sewage network, and NHS services are already under immense strain," he stated, "and these proposals will exacerbate the situation, transforming the North Cotswolds into a construction site for the foreseeable future."

"These plans are nothing short of astounding. Doubling the number of dwellings in our district isn't a sustainable solution to the housing crisis; it's simply unworkable and would lack community support.”

"The Cotswolds is special, and our approach should prioritise smaller-scale developments that offer genuinely affordable housing while preserving our area’s distinctive character," he continued.