Last weeks floods highlight the need to avoid building in flood plains. A fine balance must be maintained between environmental protection and the need for more low cost housing. Eric Goodyer, Parliamentary Commentator for Syston, Thurmaston & Rothley Labour Party said "We need more low cost affordable housing so that youngsters can get on the housing ladder. If houses are built on green space then they must be affordable homes to buy and to rent, not executive dwellings of which we have far too many". The Labour Party would also like to see more formal protection for areas of outstanding countryside and natural beauty, such as the River Soar and Charnwood Forest.  Eric Goodyer went on to say "Strong feelings expressed over the Rothley Lodge Industrial Estate demonstrates the need for sustainable development, protecting the environment from unnecessary development. Personally I would like to see the River Soar designated as a Linear Country Park protected from all new incursions".