U-turn on plan to double region’s house building

GOVERNMENT proposals that could have seen the number of homes that must be built each year in parts of Devon double have been scrapped.

Last August the Government consulted councils across the country on the changes to the way it calculated the number of new homes that must be built, with the new method seeing the numbers in East Devon rise by 67%, Mid Devon by 75%, and Teignbridge by 102%.

But following concerns that were raised by councils nationwide on the proposals, the Government has decided to scrap the changes and keep the way it calculates the number of homes that must be built in each area unchanged.

The Government will however be increasing housing numbers by 35% in the top 20 urban areas in the country, in order to deliver more homes on previously developed or brownfield land. East Devon District Council has welcomed the news after they had raised concerns about the proposals to change the Government quota for the number of properties to be annually constructed in each local authority area.

Councillors had said the proposals ‘lacked any rhyme or reason’ and would have been ‘impossible’ to achieve without putting pressure on the protected landscapes and habitats – all of which are so important to the environment and their communities – adding that there appeared to be ‘no logic’ to the Government’s proposed approach other than to deliver the 300,000 homes nationally per year and reach targets.

Cllr Dan Ledger, the district council’s portfolio holder for strategic planning, said: “This is great news and I am massively relieved that we do not now need to plan for an impossibly high number of new homes in the district for no good reason.

“Instead we can focus on delivering a new Local Plan which delivers an appropriate balance between protecting everything that makes East Devon so special while delivering the new homes and jobs that our communities need.”

A spokesman for Teignbridge District Council added: “Having opposed the proposals in our response to the consultation, we are delighted that the government has abandoned its proposed algorithm which would have resulted in a doubling of new homes built annually in Teignbridge and are pleased at the increased focus on developing brownfield sites.

“For Teignbridge, this is encouraging news and means that our current house building requirement will stay at 760 homes per year.”

Devon CPRE, the county branch of the countryside charity, has cautiously welcomed the government’s changes to the housing algorithm and support for brownfield development announced by the Housing Minister.

But Devon CPRE says clarity is needed over what the rethink means for rural counties in the South West.

Penny Mills, the Director of Devon CPRE, said: “We take heart from the fact that the government is listening and willing to revise its damaging planning proposals, and we hope this encourages people to join us to keep up the pressure on Ministers.”

Only Plymouth will now see an increase in housing numbers.

There could still be an impact in West Devon and South Hams.