889 homes could be built in the borough every year
Figure could be doubled under Government plans
A HINCKLEY borough and county councillor is urging residents to air their views on Government plans to vastly increase housing demands.
The Planning for the Future white paper sets out to build 300,000 homes each year across the UK, with a new standard method to “ensure that all areas of the country are encouraged to build the homes their communities need”.
According to calculations by planning consultants Lichfields, the quota for new homes for Hinckley and Bosworth could almost double, from 450 to 889.
This compares with 897 for the city of Nottingham, 624 for Derby and 774 for Newcastle, all of whose figures would decrease.
Councillor David Bill, executive member for planning at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said: “With everyone’s attention focussed on personal survival and whether they are going to have a job to return to once this is all over the Government is quietly slipping through measures which could change our lives forever.
“Many people will be aware of the dry sounding planning white paper which if enacted will effectively wipe out any meaningful input from local communities and their representatives but how many people are aware of an even more insidious plan to double housing figures in every part of the county?
“At the moment, there is a requirement for 4,444 houses to be built every year and that in itself is causing problems in many places but a new plan now issued by the Government spells out that 7,604 houses will be built each and every year.
“Housing is needed of course but what we are finding in our part of the county is the growth of massive warehousing which accompanies this accelerating growth in housing.”
He added: “We have to speak up now and not assume that this is another ridiculous Government plan which will go away.”
A consultation is currently underway for the white paper, which finishes on October 1.
Council leader Stuart Bray said of the proposed changes: “These will all have a fundamental impact on the way we can protect our local environment and guide future development.
“I have already raised my concerns with our local MP and note there will be a dedicated Scrutiny session for all members to brief them in more detail, of the proposed changes and to formulate our response to the document.
“The new housing methodology suggested would double the number of new houses we would be expected to provide - it will be planning by algorithm and we all know how that has played out in education.
“I will be expecting a strong and robust response from this council on the proposed changes.”
Visit the Government website to respond to the consultation.