Politicians split on increase in housing targets

Sir John Whittingdale is worried about the government "imposing" thousands of homes upon Maldon

Politicians in Essex have been reacting to the government increasing the target of the number of homes the county must build.

Essex needs to build 14,088 homes a year, rising from its previous target of 10,316.

Gavin Callaghan, the Labour leader of Basildon Council, welcomed the rise and said the government was "serious" about creating opportunity for "my generation".

Sir John Whittingdale, the Conservative MP for Maldon, said: "[The government will] impose thousands more houses on my constituency, when there are already not enough school places, not enough doctors and congested roads."

On Wednesday in the House of Commons, Whittingdale asked Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, whether developers could be forced to fund any necessary infrastructure before house building went ahead.

Pennycook said: "We are giving a considerable amount of thought to what more we can do, in addition to the changes being made today, to ensure that the right infrastructure comes forward."

Lib Dem David King is worried about the effect of more homes on Essex's busy A12 road

David King, the Liberal Democrat leader of Colchester City Council, told the BBC: "We accept development and we will be constructive with the new targets.

"It's a huge step change.

"The bigger challenge is central government need to invest at pace in infrastructure. The A12 is at, or beyond, capacity".

Colchester will need to build 1,300 homes a year, which is a rise from the previous target of 1,043.

Maldon's housing target has increased by 106% and the town will need to build 569 new homes a year.

Richard Siddall, the independent leader of Maldon District Council, said: "I am extremely disappointed to see that the housing target which is being imposed on the district has been dramatically increased.

"We continue to work to ensure that the infrastructure is delivered now and in the future."

Graham Butland, the Conservative leader of Braintree District Council, stressed that there had to be the infrastructure in place for new homes.

Basildon's annual housing target is now 1,287 new homes a year. It has built on average 302 new homes annually in recent years.

Callaghan, who became leader of the Basildon Council in May, said: "We finally have a government who is serious about creating opportunity for my generation and those that come after me."