Call for increase in affordable housing provision

The Liberal Democrat administration wants to see an increase in the number of affordable homes in city developments

Councillors have proposed an increase in the number of affordable homes in new housing developments in Gloucester.

Gloucester City Council's current policy is for all new housing development to include 20% earmarked as affordable housing.

But Labour councillors want to see this increased to 30% - including homes to buy and rent.

Opposing the motion, one councillor said the policy was "nothing more than smoke and mirrors".

Families 'priced out'

The council heard there were about 4,700 people on the waiting list for affordable housing.

Presenting the motion at Thursday's full council meeting, Labour group deputy leader Tree Chambers-Dubus said: "Too many young people and families are being priced out of having a decent home and the stability and security that this brings.

"This situation has to change and we will be pushing the council to build more affordable housing in future and increase its current policy of 20% to 30% to make this happen."

However, it may prove difficult for Labour to get the motion passed as two other groups do not appear keen to support it, while the Conservatives said they remained committed to increasing the availability of affordable housing in Gloucester.

Nothing was agreed by councillors, but they will be reviewing the feasibility of maximising the number of affordable properties, supporting military veterans and local first time buyers and renters and working with other government departments to achieve the desired outcome.

'Stark reality'

Conservative group leader Stephanie Chambers said she endorsed allocating 30% of homes as affordable, but noted higher development costs could be incurred through viability assessments.

She said these could "potentially justify" a reduction in the number of affordable homes provided.

"It is imperative that the council rigorously scrutinises these assessments to ensure they comply with all requirements if a reduction in affordable housing is proposed," Ms Chambers said.

Community Independents leader Alastair Chambers opposed the motion.

"The stark reality is when there was three Labour Party councillors in Matson, the large Matson 550 new build development went through planning with no affordable housing and no council association housing whatsoever," he said.

Council leader Jeremy Hilton said his new Liberal Democrat administration hoped the new government could assist in providing financial support for the council to build its own council housing stock.