Concern Over Planned Housing Target Changes

Harborough District Council is assessing the impact proposed changes to national housing targets would have on its new Local Plan.

Figures released by government show an additional 200 homes a year could have to be built across the area under the shake-up  – on top of the current target of just over 500 annually.

The opposition Conservative group is expressing concern about how the change will impact the plan, which the council is currently drawing up to map where new developments will go over the next 20 years.

Cllr Jon Bateman is leader of the opposition:

The council says it is ready to respond to potential changes to the national planning system thanks to work undertaken on its new Local Plan to date.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “The work undertaken so far on the Local Plan places us in an incredibly advantageous position to respond to these changes quickly, smoothly and in a way which (once the new Local Plan is adopted) will safeguard control over housing development in the district for the future.

“Preparation of the Local Plan up until these proposed fundamental changes, was to time and to budget.

“We now have the opportunity to future proof the new Local Plan by incorporating the new figures and continuing to create high quality places that will provide necessary homes and jobs for future generations.

“I am hoping that we will have a meeting with government ministers to discuss the potential impact of the changes on the district very soon.”

A council spokesperson added: “Officers are working through the details of the government’s proposed changes to the planning system, including the proposed introduction of new mandatory house building targets, to determine what the implications of the proposed new targets for the Harborough District would be.”