The leader of the Liberal Democrats, half of the UK's coalition government, accuses the Conservatives of withholding a report that identifies sites for two new towns in 'safe' Conservative regions.
Following the 2011 election, the Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron commissioned research to identify locations for two new garden cities to support the delivery of new housing. Tim Farron, President of the Liberal Democrats, has accused his coalition partners of suppressing the report as the two sites identified are located in the 'Tory heartlands' of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, whose remit includes housing and development matters, has previously noted that such plans would not be "impose[d]" on communities fixed against them, following opposition from local authorities.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat) reconfirmed his support for the garden cities model in the Commons, and encouraging the publication of the report as soon as possible.
The Conservatives have rejected the suggestion that the report has been delayed, stating that it will be made available next year.
FULL STORY: Conservatives 'suppressing garden cities report'
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