CALL FOR HOUSING RETHINK AFTER DROUGHT

The current drought in the South-East has highlighted the pressure already on local infrastructure and resources. Plans for greater housing would exacerbate these problems further.

Speaking in the constituency on Saturday (11 February) Mr Hendry said that, at a time of year when reservoirs should be full, three local reservoirs are seriously under supplied.

Arlington reservoir is only 71 per cent full, Bewl Water only 35 per cent full and Weir Wood at just 34 per cent capacity.

Mr Hendry said: "These reservoirs are at historically low levels.

"As a consequence, unless we get very heavy rain over a long period, we are likely to see the water shortage and hose pipe bans continuing through most of this year.

"Plans to build thousands of new houses in Wealden and across the county will not only fundamentally alter the existing character of historical towns and villages but will put vital resources under unsustainable pressure."

He added: "The present water shortage in the area clearly shows that the government's plans for greater housing and the effect that they will have not been thoroughly thought through. The government must commit to ensuring that houses are only built once the necessary infrastructure to support them has been put in place"