May 21, 2014 5.03 pm This story is over 118 months old

Video: Ed Miliband visits Lincoln council houses project

Ed Miliband visits Lincoln: Labour leader said Lincoln is starting to lead the way in housing developments when he visited the city.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said Lincoln is starting to lead the way in housing developments when he visited a city housing project on Wednesday, May 21.

He was greeted at the Stapleford Avenue housing development by City of Lincoln Council’s leader Ric Metcalfe and Lincoln Labour MP candidate Lucy Rigby.

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney also greeted the Labour leader via his megaphone from his car down the street (audible at the beginning of the video).

Lindum Construction is building the five eco-friendly council homes on the disused garage site on Stapleford Avenue.

The homes will be the second batch of council homes in recent years after five were built on Wellington Street.

The Wellington Street development were the first council houses to be built in Lincoln in 20 years.

Work is almost finished at the Stapleford Avenue development of five council eco-homes. Photo: Emily Norton

Work is almost finished at the Stapleford Avenue development of five council eco-homes. Photo: Emily Norton

After visiting the housing project, Ed Miliband said: “I think this is a great project and I think the City of Lincoln Council deserves congratulation for this. It’s absolutely essential that we build homes again in this country.

“I think Lincoln is starting to lead the way. There are exciting plans that the council has for 150 homes, but the council is quite constrained by what the central government is allowing it to do.

“That’s why we want to give councils much tougher ‘use it or lose it’ powers over development on land.”

Local opposition supporters also greeted Ed Miliband from across the road. Photo: Emily Norton

Local opposition supporters also greeted Ed Miliband from across the road. Photo: Emily Norton

The local elections take place on May 22. Find all your candidates.