Lib Dem Feakes tells national conference to back new laws to boost town centres

5.49.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 20th Sep 2008

Alex Feakes speaking to the Liberal Democrat national conference

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Lewisham West & Penge, Cllr Alex Feakes, told his party's national conference this week that new planning laws, proposed as part of the party's 'eco-towns' plan, would local residents direct the regeneration of urban town centres such as Penge, Sydenham and Forest Hill.

In a well-received speech to hundreds of conference representatives from around the country, Alex Feakes said: "residents in my constituency, in Forest Hill, Sydenham and Penge, are far ahead of their councils in wanting town centres to be environmentally sustainable, ecologically sound and adapted to local need. The fairer, locally accountable and balanced planning system proposed here will help residents achieve this."

"My borough, Lewisham, is at the bottom of national league tables in terms of recycling and doesn't take environmental issues seriously enough. We need eco-towns in our cities too, and empowering residents through the planning system can help make that happen."