DAVID Maclean, MP for Penrith and the Border, has hit out at what he called "iniquitous" restrictions on new housing which are "penalising" rural areas such as the Eden Valley.
The MP said that Regional Planning Guidance note 13, which limits the amount of new housing which can be built, was effectively penalising people in Cumbria on the basis that there are too many surplus houses in Liverpool and Manchester.
"People are crying out for new homes in many part of the county," he said, "It is utterly wrong that we cannot let people in our districts build the homes they want because of the dictates of Labour politicians in Whitehall.
"This one size fits all approach is typical of a Government which is only interested in the inner cities and ignores the particular difficulties of Cumbria."
Mr Maclean is to write in protest to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article