Liberal Democrats have responded to the quite extraordinary recent outburst posted on About My Area from Towcester’s Conservatives.

Councillor Martin Johns comments: “Taking differing views of how we run things in our community is fine, it’s politics, it’s how democracy works. It was very sad however, to see the recent posting from the Conservatives, a posting based entirely on untruths.

Liberal Democrats have been fully involved at every stage with helping make the best of the eventual doubling of our town over the next 20 years. This housing expansion is due to SNC’s Conservative policy of directing new housing development to Towcester and Brackley.

Liberal Democrats have worked over many years with SNC’s planning officers, town council, county council, government departments, our MP and the developers. Liberal Democrat councillors have been proactive we are fully involved in all meetings held to discuss development plans. Including plans for affordable housing, new schools, health services, sports pavilion and pitches, relief road, public open spaces, country park, allotments, quality of design in house types, cycle routes, the list goes on.

Councillor Lisa Samiotis has been leading on plans to greatly improve football and sports facilities, including those for the disabled. As Chair of the town council’s recreation & leisure committee, Councillor David Tarbun has taken a keen interest in plans for new public open spaces and country-park.

Liberal Democrats have successfully blocked Conservative councillors’ plans for cutting employment areas within the new development and replacing these with yet more houses. Yes, the Tories want even more houses. Liberal Democrat councillors also put a stop to the local Tories preferred plan for private companies to be given and maintain (or not) open spaces and parks, charging home owners directly for the service.”

County Councillor Chris Lofts adds: “Tory bluster is just their misguided and desperate attempt to try and distract attention from their disastrous plans that are so unpopular in Towcester. We will not allow the Conservatives to gag the Liberal Democrats. Lib Dems will continue to speak up for local people on issues affecting our town centre, the historic heart of our community. We’ll speak up for every part of Towcester including Wood Burcote and Caldecote.”