Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, has written to the Chief Executive of Bovis Homes Plc to ask them to make good their commitment to build the much-needed new housing in north Bexhill.

The Bexhill to Hastings Link Road which opened in December 2015 was the first stage of a major project to open up land for much-needed local housing and commercial space for local jobs.  However, so far no new homes have been built on this site despite the commercial developments and north Bexhill Access road progressing well.

Huw has asked to meet the CEO of Bovis to ask why the new homes are not being built. He is concerned that lack of supply of new housing from the Link Road site is encouraging other sites in the constituency to be brought forward for development in smaller parcels, some within the AONB.

Huw said Huw said “I am frustrated that the new homes anticipated by the Link Road have not yet materialised two and half years on from the road being completed. These homes are much-needed and are part of the district council’s local plan. If these are not built then other less suitable areas in the constituency are at risk of being developed. 

The MP added “Over the last couple of weeks, I have again called in Parliament for the Government to start charging developers for council tax a year from the planning consent being granted (and not from the time the homes are occupied). I have also asked for local authorities to be given the right to compulsory purchase land from developers two years after planning consent has been granted. If Bovis will not build it out then others should bid to do so. Constituents paid their council tax to finance this road. It was an example of delivering infrastructure before housing. I hope that this letter to Bovis drives them to put a shovel in the ground and start delivering what they proposed some years back.”