Tewkesbury councillors plan referendum on new housing targets
Last week the Government announced 14,600 new homes were to be built in the borough over the next two decades, with 2,900 earmarked for the town.
The news shocked councillors and residents, coming days after the first anniversary of floods which left parts of the borough under water.
Town councillor Jimmy Fitzpatrick is behind the referendum and says residents should get to vote on whether they support the proposals or not.
He said: “I read the Government reports and based on last year's events, I wonder if these people are for real.
“I fully understand the need for housing for people but Tewkesbury has had a major catastrophe and the town is just starting to get back on its feet with people still out of their homes.”
Tewkesbury borough mayor Brian Calway is also behind the idea.
He said a final wording had not been decided, but residents would be asked if they agreed with the recommendation that an additional 14,600 houses are built in Tewkesbury borough.
In 2004, a referendum on whether to save Alderman Knight School for children with learning difficulties cost about £30,000 to stage.
Mr Fitzpatrick admitted the cost of another vote could scupper the idea but hoped it would be shared by borough, town and parish councils.
“If everyone chips in, I think we'll get a good response from the electorate because they will not want to see those floods again,” he said.
“It would be absolutely crazy to build this many houses and I hope members back the motion.”
The move comes as residents gear up to fight the proposed new housing.
Last week it was announced the Blue Wave march, which was organised to speak out against building on floodplains a year after the floods, would become a permanent campaign to get funds for a legal challenge to the proposals, which are part of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West.
Tomorrow, an extraordinary meeting of Tewkesbury Town Council will take place at the Town Hall at 7pm to discuss the RSS homes.
Town mayoress Barbara Cromwell said she had arranged it to listen to people's concerns about recent house allocation from the Government with a view to seeing what the town council and councillors can do to support the residents.
A referendum is a direct vote where the electorate is asked to accept or reject a particular proposal.
In the UK, local referendums are not legally binding, but can have a persuasive effect on Government.
The cost depends on factors including publicity, ballot production and counting costs.
Councillors will vote on the referendum on Monday.
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