Vince Cable

I have had a series of meetings with the Lib Dem council group to discuss the future of the Riverside project. I have always taken the view that it is for elected councillors rather than the MP to decide the way forward on this council development, but I have my views and residents make representations to me.

I believe that after three decades of dereliction on the riverside and eight previous attempts, under successive Lib Dem and Conservative councils, to find a solution acceptable to all, a decision had to be made.

The proposal to create a river centre, backed by an eminent environmentalist like Sir David Attenborough and the Environment Trust, new public open space on half the -mostly-derelict site and a new children's playground, financed by an enabling housing development, seemed to be a sensible way of creating a public amenity at no cost to the tax payer. Some of the proposed alternatives, while attractive, depend on public financing which is not available.

I welcome the council's decision not to rush into a contract, as it gives an opportunity to see how the project could be improved. I have argued for some time that there should be more open space and less housing on the site. As negotiations about the development continue, and as the property recession starts to ease, it should be possible to secure a better agreement on this either with Countryside or another developer.

There will also now be an opportunity for the council to engage in dialogue, with the constructive critics of the scheme, on issues such as how the public space can be best utilised.

It is clear that the council needs to explain more clearly its plans for the site as many myths have taken root. I have no doubt that the majority of critics are motivated by a public spirited interest in getting the best for the community, which is also the council's starting point. I am as always very happy to work in a constructive fashion with residents and councillors to help resolve these outstanding concerns.