The World Tonight on Housing in the South East
CPRE South East
Campaigning to Protect the South East's Countryside
A special edition of The World Tonight on BBC Radio 4 on 27 August 2007 discussed whether the South East of England has room for two million new homes. The panellists were:
- Austen Williams from the Future Cities programme, who called for more building. He said that he didn't mind where it went, and criticised environmentalism and sustainability.
- Rebecca Williams from the Sustainable Development Commission said the debate is being driven by numbers but it would be a hollow victory if we achieve the numbers but people don't want to live in the environments created. Settlements should be future-proof to cope with climate change.
- Edward Dawson from CPRE SE called for more brownfield development. He said that empty homes must be brought into use and that building in the green belt should be the last option.
Reading and the Thames Gateway were featured in the programme, which also asked whether life would be less grim if more people moved north. Listen again at:
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