You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
New housing formula could see fewer homes delivered in the North, councils warn
Proposed government changes to housing requirements stand in opposition to the ‘levelling-up agenda’ as they would see fewer homes delivered in the North, councils warned today.
An analysis of the new government algorithm by the Local Government Association (LGA) found that, compared to the current formula, the highest percentage increase in new homes would be expected in the Midlands and the South, with lower growth expected in Northern regions.
London would be expected to see a 161% rise in homes built, with a 57% increase in the South East and a 39% increase in the South West, the LGA claimed.
Some of the areas that would see the largest increase in housing are Brighton and Hove (287%), Dover (294%) and Tunbridge Wells (184%).
READ MORE
In comparison, proposed housing targets for the North East are 28% lower than existing delivery, while targets for the North West are 8% lower and targets for Yorkshire and the Humber are 6% lower.
Several Northern cities would see far fewer homes built under the new targets, including Newcastle (-66%), Liverpool (-59%) and Sheffield (-20%), according to the analysis.
A new method for calculating housing need within a local area was proposed by the government last month as part of a wide-ranging set of changes to the planning system in England.
At the time, the government said its new method will “achieve a better distribution of homes” in areas such as the Northern Powerhouse and said the current formula underestimates demand for housing in growing cities.
David Renard, housing spokesperson for the LGA and leader of Swindon Council, said: “Under these plans, some parts of the country will have to ramp up housebuilding with existing targets doubled.
“Others, mainly cities in the North, will be told they need to build less, which risks reducing the number of homes they had earmarked for development and bulldozing their current housebuilding plans.
“This seriously jeopardises any ambition to level up the country. Building new, good-quality and affordable housing is vital to regenerating our towns and cities, improving our health and well-being, creating jobs and enabling local economies to thrive and bounce back following the coronavirus pandemic.
“Algorithms and formulas can never be a substitute for local knowledge and decision-making by councils and communities who know their areas best.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The LGA’s fears are unfounded.
“The current formula for local housing need is inconsistent with our aim to deliver 300,000 homes by the mid-2020s. We are consulting on each element of the indicative formula and will reflect on the feedback we receive so that we can build the houses that are needed for the next generation.
“As under the current system, local housing need will only be the starting point in the process of planning for new homes and councils will still need to consider local circumstances to decide how many homes can be delivered in their areas.”
