MP accuses homes agency of 'green-washing' over Runcorn housing claims

Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, on Red Brow Lane.

East Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury has branded claims that building 250 houses in the "open countryside" will improve the variety of greenery and wildlife as "PR" and "green-washing".

The Labour MP's comments were directed at a Homes England project to construct homes at the Sandymoor South site near Norton.

Proposals for a further 600 dwellings are in the works for a neighbouring development on fields at Wharford Farm on either either side of Red Brow Lane.

A spokesman for Mr Amesbury's officer said Homes England literature claims retaining mature trees, hedgerows and ecology ponds will achieve "biodiversity net gain".

The MP has disputed this.

He said: "How can Homes England argue bio-diversity net gain when concrete will be poured over wildlife habitats across a large area of countryside?

“They can dress it up in academic language, but you’ll never convince me that decimating vast swathes of green space will enhance nature.

"I don’t like a situation where Homes England feels it can take my constituents for fools.

"I believe this is a PR exercise that amounts to little more than greenwashing.”

Former shadow housing minister Mr Amesbury said he agrees with the need to build more houses generally but wants a "brownfield first approach" and a mix of tenures that includes "genuinely affordable" homes.

He also called for all new homes to be built to the highest energy efficiency standards.

Mr, who recently revealed he's received contact from more than 1,600 residents opposed to the plans Amesbury, said: "I know this kind of detail may come later.

"But it’s concerning Homes England has already highlighted to me that it’s not required to go above and beyond standard building regulations when we have a global climate crisis as highlighted at the recent COP 27 environmental summit in Egypt.

“I’m not hearing a commitment to housing with an energy performance rating of A or B.

"At the moment there’s just a mention of electric charging points - which are required by law - and a pledge to reduce ‘embodied carbon’ within the development.

“There’s also no reference to space being allocated for self-build homes that allow people to slash construction costs and ramp up energy efficiency measures to reduce bills.”

Speaking in December last year, a Homes England spokeswoman said: "As the Government’s housing delivery agency, our role is to ensure more people in England have access to homes in well-designed places.

"That’s why we are working closely with Halton Borough Council to deliver its Local Plan, building on our successful delivery of homes and infrastructure in Sandymoor to date.

"We are proposing up to 850 new high quality homes, including up to 120 affordable homes."

She added: “These sites have long been identified for housing, forming allocations in the adopted Halton Local Plan since 2005.

"Under our plans, the scheme will create local jobs and provide infrastructure such as new roads and generous green spaces.

"We are consulting on our proposals and will continue to engage with the community, local authorities and other partners."

Public consultation for the plans ends on December 6.

Read more news from Runcorn, Cheshire, here.