Candidates vying for the South West constituency in the London Mayoral elections came together in this week's hustings to debate planning policy, housing targets, green space, and how to fix Hammersmith Bridge.

The debate was hosted by campaign group Listen to Locals.

The seat has been Conservative since its creation in 2000, with Tony Arbour its only representative. However Mr Arbour has stepped down for this May 6 election.

Competing to win the seat are Candice Atterton for the Labour Party, Sylvia Da Barca for Let London Live, Dominique Day for ReformUK, Andree Frieze for the Green Party, Gareth Roberts for the Liberal Democrat Party, and Nicholas Rogers for the Conservative Party.

Ms Atterton, Ms Frieze, and Mr Roberts are all currently councillors in London, and debated with Mr Rogers at last night's event.

Ms Da Barca and Ms Day were not present.

On the issue of planning, Mr Rogers pushed for a greater adoption of neighbourhood planning to ensure local priorities are understood from the very beginning of the process.

Mr Roberts said the capital's growing population meant more housing was needed, but that developments must bring the community with them.

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He claimed the current Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan "couldn't give a damn" about South West London where he said he is unlikely to win votes.

Ms Frieze said if the Greens had more power they would set up the People's Land Commission to talk to communities to share their ideas, as well as push for more diversity in the housing market for smaller groups to bid for land and build on it.

Ms Atterton spoke about Labour's plans for City Hall to become a developer, so it can be more responsive to the community's needs regarding housing.

On the issue of Hammersmith Bridge, Ms Atterton said she would call on the Government to accept greater responsibility and said that it is unacceptable for Hammersmith and Fulham Council to fund half the project when councils have been squeezed for years.

Mr Rogers said the Mayor has a critical role to play, and he would support Shaun Bailey's three-point plan to build a temporary road bridge from TfL's cash reserves, would keep crossings free of charge, and push for a London Infrastructure Bank to fund full repairs.

Ms Frieze criticised Labour and the Conservatives for using the bridge as a "political football" and simply blamed each other.

She said the Greens would open the bridge as soon as possible to walking and cycling so people have certainty, but that ultimately the Department for Transport should fund the full repairs.

Mr Roberts argued that all bridges need to be taken out of the hands of local government because they simply don't have the budgets to maintain them, and said the government needs to come forward with the money for a temporary structure now, before looking at how it might be repaid.

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