East Surrey MP, Peter Ainsworth, has urged residents of Lingfield not to sign a ‘housing needs’ survey being circulated to homes in the area by planning consultants, WS Planning.

WS Planning have been commissioned to garner public opinion on the need to provide affordable housing solely for local people in the area, but the survey’s sponsor has requested that they remain anonymous until after the results have been published.

Commenting, Mr Ainsworth said:

“Whilst WS Planning may be a reputable company, they are unwilling to make public just who has commissioned this survey. Why would anyone fill in a survey when they are unsure of who their response is going to be used by and for what purpose?

“As a Lingfield resident myself I have received this questionnaire, and I will not be filling it in. I do believe there to be a need for sensitively located affordable housing across the whole of East Surrey, and it is only right that residents should be asked how they feel about new development in their community, but why the secrecy?

“Before I answer these questions I want to know who is asking them; and why.”