New mayor promises to support housebuilding targets

David Skaith (right) says building new homes "should be a priority"

The new mayor of York and North Yorkshire has promised to support local authorities to build new homes.

David Skaith, who was elected in May, said housing supply was "quite a big challenge" in the region.

The government has said it aimed to build 1.5m more homes in the next five years.

"We have to be building for our future generations to be able to stay in our region," said Mr Skaith.

The Labour mayor added: "If we don't then we are just going to keep losing these people and we are not going to have a place which can grow."

The housebuilding targets would be delivered by reforms to the planning system and quotas for new housing, as well as the release of green belt land.

Mr Skaith said houses needed to be built along with "infrastructure" to connect them with transport, jobs and opportunities.

'Not good enough'

Mr Skaith said building new homes "should be a priority".

He added: "We have people who are becoming ill because the accommodation they are living in isn't fit for purpose.

"That's not good enough. We don't have the homes that people need to live in to feel safe and secure.

"We should be stretched on our housing targets because it's a necessity."

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