“It is completely irresponsible for the Government to pursue the housing target set for the district,” stated Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative MP representing Tonbridge, as he urged for a reassessment of housing targets in Kent.
His remarks come in light of alarming water supply issues that threaten the viability of proposed developments. The Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has mandated the construction of 19,746 homes by 2042, yet South East Water has indicated it can only support a maximum of 6,318 additional homes within the same timeframe.
Tugendhat emphasized the dire implications of the current targets, warning that more than 13,000 new homes in Tonbridge and Malling will have no water coming out of their taps, if the government gets its way.
In recent years, mandatory housing targets have surged, increasing by 34% in Tonbridge and Malling and 63% in the Sevenoaks district since the last general election. This rapid escalation has raised significant concerns among local leaders and residents.
A moratorium on development is currently in place in Tonbridge and Malling due to these water supply challenges, further complicating the housing crisis.
Critics, including Tugendhat, have pointed fingers at the government for its lack of urgency in addressing the water supply crisis, which has been exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure.
“The government clearly needs to sort this out for our community now, and make changes to prevent this from happening elsewhere in the United Kingdom,” Tugendhat added, calling for immediate action.
Alison Bennett, a representative from South East Water, echoed these concerns, stating, “The lack of water infrastructure is blocking our capacity to deliver more homes and is resulting in water outages such as those in West Kent.”
As the situation unfolds, the community awaits a response from the government regarding these pressing issues. Details remain unconfirmed.