I want to make clear that I am not opposed to housing development or to the provision of much-needed homes. However, the continued rapid growth of Saggart and Citywest has placed significant pressure on existing infrastructure and public services. Schools, healthcare, childcare, public transport, sports facilities, recreation areas and wider community services have struggled to keep pace with the scale and speed of development.

Further housing development should not proceed on the assumption that infrastructure and services will simply catch up at a later date. The necessary infrastructure must be planned, funded and delivered alongside new housing, rather than being promised for an uncertain future.

Before any further significant development under MA5.1 is permitted, the Council should require clear evidence that there is, or will be, sufficient capacity to support the additional population. This should include, at a minimum:

- Adequate primary and secondary school capacity, with confirmed plans and timelines for any additional places required.

- Sufficient water supply and wastewater treatment capacity to support the proposed level of development.

- Adequate GP, primary healthcare and other essential health services.

- Sufficient childcare and early-years provision.

- Reliable and adequate public transport capacity, including services connecting residents to employment, education and other essential destinations.

- Appropriate sports, recreation and open-space facilities for the existing and growing population.

- Adequate community and social infrastructure to support the needs of residents.

In particular, the proposed community centre/sports hall and active travel link should not remain aspirational commitments with delivery dates that may be deferred indefinitely. These facilities are essential elements of a sustainable community and should have specific, enforceable delivery timelines, secured funding and clear responsibility for implementation.

The Council should ensure that these facilities and services are delivered in step with the housing they are intended to serve, rather than allowing large numbers of new homes to be occupied years before the supporting infrastructure is available.

I therefore strongly request that MA5.1 be strengthened to make the delivery of housing conditional on the timely provision of the necessary infrastructure and community facilities. The objective should be to ensure that housing growth and infrastructure delivery are properly integrated and that existing communities are not placed under further pressure as a result of development proceeding ahead of essential services.

Sustainable development is not simply about building more homes. It is about creating complete, connected and properly serviced communities where residents have access to schools, healthcare, childcare, transport, recreation and community facilities from the outset.

I respectfully ask the Council to amend and strengthen MA5.1 accordingly, so that housing and infrastructure are planned, funded and delivered together, with clear commitments and measurable delivery timelines.