THE LEADER of Bromsgrove District Council has expressed her commitment to deliver the right housing in the district if the authority’s hand is forced by the governments proposed changes to national planning policy.
Members of Bromsgrove District Council met this week to finalise their response to the Labour government’s national planning policy framework proposals (NPPF) which could see its annual house building target jump by 82 per cent from 386 to over 704.
In total, the government’s consultation asked for a response to over 106 questions which the council’s strategic planning steering group (SPSG) and its officers have worked arduously on.
At the extraordinary meeting on Monday (September 23), Conservative leader of the council, councillor Karen May said: “It is a really difficult situation and infrastructure has to be there.
“If we’re going to build houses, what I want it to primarily be is housing for people who live here.
“With a heavy heart, I saw the numbers but what I want to do and am committed to do is to work with the community where we can to get the best outcomes.
“To build the homes in the right place, if we have to go forward with this figure, with the correct connectivity and wrap around care so people can live, work and play in this district.”
Ahead of the council’s response, Coun May was forthcoming about her reservations surround the proposals.
She said: “These new housing targets are being dictated to us by a London centric Labour Party, and it’s certainly not the approach I would have taken.
In all, the council appears united on its response which raises major concerns about the proposed house building targets and echoes worries about the impacts on Bromsgrove’s green belt land (89 per cent of the district).
Councillors feel very strongly about the strain on local infrastructure which is already evident without consideration of a significant uptick in new developments.
Independent, Coun Sue Baxter said: “I don’t think there’s a single member not concerned about the impact of additional housing and the impact on our green belt and infrastructure.
The council do however recognise the housing crisis facing the district and nation but some feel the proposals will not do enough to address the need.
Coun Baxter added: “If we do have to accommodate these additional homes, and we do need homes its having the right infrastructure in place and the right times and number of homes.”
Some remained stern, expressing that the proposals will not do enough to address the need. And members are adamant on working with the community wherever possible to deliver housing need appropriately.
Lib Dem, Coun Sam Evans said: “My generation are struggling very hard to get on the housing ladder. Despite that I’m still opposing this reforms as I don’t believe they go far enough in the right direction to tackle the housing crisis.
“If the government was serious, I think they’d be giving more powers to councils to build more houses that are affordable.”
Members are however adamant on working with the community wherever possible to deliver housing need appropriately.
Councillor McDonald: “To echo the remarks of the leader and my colleagues, there’s been a housing crisis in Bromsgrove for a number of years that has led to an imbalance.
“There are thousands of people who need a roof over there head, lets make sure that happens.”
Visit https://moderngovwebpublic.bromsgrove.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=110&MId=4462&Ver=4 to see the council’s response to the consultation.
