Labour’s housing targets ‘extremely challenging’, say Babergh and Mid Suffolk planning leads

The Government's housing targets for two districts are 'extremely challenging', two planning leads have said.

The Government announced its new housing requirements from local authorities across the country in December as part of its pledge to build 1.5 million homes by the end of its tenure.

In Suffolk, the revised targets are equivalent to 1,265 new homes per year over and above the previous requirements.

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils, councillors are gearing up to review their Join Local Plan, used to help guide and decide planning applications.

Cllr Andrew Stringer, the planning lead in Mid Suffolk, called on towns and parishes to create their own Neighbourhood Plans so they can have a say on which houses go where.

He said: “The Government’s new housing requirements are extremely challenging.

“We want to be clear with our towns and parishes about the scale of this challenge as early as possible, so we can support them to get the best outcomes for their communities."

Back in September, both councils backed a motion calling on the Government to fix a 'broken' housing system decimating council budgets, now they must handle increased targets.

Cllr Sallie Davies, Babergh's planning lead, said communities had to work together to deliver the new targets, nearly double their previous levels.

She said: "This is completely unrealistic, but we must now work with communities to plan for the housing growth being asked of us."

Both councils held meetings with towns and parishes on Friday and are gearing up for informal engagement starting in the summer.