Housing targets need to be revised more regularly
Housing targets need to be revised more regularly Yesterday I was interviewed by the BBC lunchtime national news about a new report published by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) which calls on the "Government to revise house building targets in the light of the economic downturn, or risk unleashing a swath of Greenfield development". http://www.cpre.org.uk/news/view/544
Due to extended coverage of the American Election, I didn't appear on the film, but I was quoted: "The leader of Lichfield District council told me he feels housing targets should be reviewed more regularly - perhaps every 5 years". This is something both I and the Council feels very passionately about.
Why do we need more housing? In the past, 2.4 people households were the accepted norm. Now our lifestyle choices and events in peoples' lives mean this is changing. More people choose to live alone, many older people want to live independently in their homes for longer, and the rise in families splitting up have all increased the amount of housing we need nationally. In addition, nationally there are over 1.5million people on council house waiting lists and a further 90,000 people in temporary accommodation.
However, it's a matter of balance. And in Lichfield District we need to make sure that the right number of local houses, the right local services, and the right infrastructure are developed together, in the right places and at the right time. The Regional Assembly for the West Midlands has suggested as many as 16,000 homes may be needed to be developed in Lichfield District between now and 2026. We were concerned this figure was too high and as a result of lobbying in October 2007 the Regional Assembly announced 8,000 homes would need to be developed in the district - 50% lower than first proposed. This figure is yet to be finalised but the council will continue to lobby to keep the number of new homes at a sustainable level , whilst ensuring people have access to affordable, good quality housing.
Due to extended coverage of the American Election, I didn't appear on the film, but I was quoted: "The leader of Lichfield District council told me he feels housing targets should be reviewed more regularly - perhaps every 5 years". This is something both I and the Council feels very passionately about.
Why do we need more housing? In the past, 2.4 people households were the accepted norm. Now our lifestyle choices and events in peoples' lives mean this is changing. More people choose to live alone, many older people want to live independently in their homes for longer, and the rise in families splitting up have all increased the amount of housing we need nationally. In addition, nationally there are over 1.5million people on council house waiting lists and a further 90,000 people in temporary accommodation.
However, it's a matter of balance. And in Lichfield District we need to make sure that the right number of local houses, the right local services, and the right infrastructure are developed together, in the right places and at the right time. The Regional Assembly for the West Midlands has suggested as many as 16,000 homes may be needed to be developed in Lichfield District between now and 2026. We were concerned this figure was too high and as a result of lobbying in October 2007 the Regional Assembly announced 8,000 homes would need to be developed in the district - 50% lower than first proposed. This figure is yet to be finalised but the council will continue to lobby to keep the number of new homes at a sustainable level , whilst ensuring people have access to affordable, good quality housing.
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