50,000 homes a year undemocratic and unrealistic
New figures calling on the South East to consider building up to 50,000 homes a year are simply out of step with reality says the South East England Regional Assembly.
Assembly Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell CBE says advice published today (26 June) by Government advisers - the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit - runs contrary to the Assembly's own evidence base and is a clear attempt to undermine democratic decisions on critical planning matters.
He said:
"These numbers have no credibility as they completely bypass local democracy and the Assembly's duty to balance housing growth with residents' concerns about the environment and infrastructure. Our current South East targets were agreed by councillors and community representatives who know the region and its challenges far better than appointed civil servants ever will.
"Our solution is to build to realistic targets but ensure that one in every three homes is affordable - either for rent or for part rent/part buy. This is a far more practical way to help people find a decent home they can afford, especially as our own research shows that simply building more homes does not make them cheaper."
Cllr Mitchell added:
"Announcing these massive figures now highlights their lack of realism. Asking the South East to build between 38,000 and 50,000 new homes for sale each year is simply absurd when people can't get mortgages, repossessions are growing and builders are downing tools as they see their profits dwindling."
