A Liberal Democrat candidate in a council by-election has said mental health care and responsible development are top of his campaign priorities.

Rich Clare, of Lorne Gardens in South Woodford, was announced as the Lib Dem candidate for the Roding by-election last month, after Conservative Councillor Sarah Blaber resigned.

If the 23-year-old is elected, Roding will be completely represented by Lib Dem councillors.

He said: “Although I really got involved in the party at university in Sheffield, back home in Redbridge I saw how Lib Dem councillors like Ian Bond and Gwyneth Deakins were having a positive impact on local people’s lives, and I wanted to get involved in that work.

“They have been active in the ward since before I was born, so I would be thrilled to be able to join them.”

Mr Clare has lived on the Nightingale Estate in South Woodford all of his life and currently works for the Lib Dems in Hertfordshire.

He ran as the party’s candidate for Ilford North in last year’s general election, but was beaten by Labour’s Wes Streeting.

He said: “I think having a Labour councillor for Roding wouldn’t make much of a difference, given that they already have a council majority.

“It’s a great shame Labour got rid of area committees, as they meant issues could be discussed at a really localised level and real money was allocated to be spent in the ward.”

Mr Clare said he was strongly against the Wanstead and Woodford development corridor, which could see the housing density in the area quadruple.

He said: “I am saving up to buy my first home so no-one knows the problem of affordable housing better than me.

“It seems the council is intent on building all over the place at whatever cost, but don’t seem to be concerned about doing it responsibly.

“The Tories on the other hand are so protective of the green belt they are not acknowledging the need for houses at all.

“My priority is responsible development.”

The biology graduate is also keen to support his colleagues' fight to increase school places in the area.

He said: “I live right by Nightingale Primary School, so I know what an excellent school it is.

“But I have seen the pressure on schools change over the years with more families moving to the area, which is why I will continue to fight for more school places.”

Mental health is another issue Mr Clare is passionate about.

He said: “When the Lib Dems were in government we put an end to the discrepancy between mental and physical health in law, but that is still taking time to filter through to local level.

“I want to work with doctors and commissioners to make sure mental health care is safeguarded.”

Finally, Mr Clare is determined to improve safety at Charlie Brown’s Roundabout in South Woodford.

He said: “We want to work with TFL to make it much safer for people to cross, particularly families with young children.

“Pollution levels there are also some of the worst in London, which is something I hope to tackle.”

Asked to describe his campaign in three words, Mr Clare said: “Local people power.”

Rich Clare will go up against Labour’s Lloyd Duddridge and Conservative ex-councillor Ruth Clark in the Roding by-election on May 5.