Welsh Government must promote sustainable land use to keep local communities alive - Mick Bates AM (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Welsh Government must promote sustainable land use to keep local communities alive - Mick Bates AM

March 10, 2009 12:00 AM

Having recently attended the launch of the Llanfyllin Community Land Trust, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates is calling for more support for sustainable land use which can offer a green route out of recession and encourage young people to stay in rural Wales to keep local communities alive.

Commenting Mick stated:

"In Powys we have seen a 222% rise in average house prices between 1996 and 2006. There is a clear need for more affordable homes in Powys and I welcome the development of the Llanfyllin Community Land Trust, which is working to bring affordable and sustainable housing for local people on a broad range of incomes.

"The future of rural communities in Wales relies on young people being able to afford homes in the communities they grew up in. At this difficult economic time when young people are struggling to get onto the housing ladder, I have written to the Government urging them to free up more Government land for the development of Community Land Trusts, which can offer a community driven solution to the affordable housing crisis.

"Allotments also have huge potential for offering a green solution to the rising costs of food, by enabling people to grow their own food and cut down on household costs at this difficult economic time, as well as reduce carbon emissions by encouraging local production and distribution of food."

Between the 1980's and 1990's local authorities sold off around 200,000 allotment plots across Britain as councils struggled to find the gardeners. The current economic situation has now created an unprecedented demand for plots.

Welsh Lib Dem Mick adds: "I have urged the Welsh Government to conduct a survey of Government land suitable for the development of allotments which would enable people to have a better quality of life but also to reduce their carbon footprint and dig a green route out of recession."

End/Diwedd