Warning against new housing targets - council leader

North Somerset Council's leader said he could not "wish away" geographical constraints on the land

Plans to introduce compulsory housing targets to local councils have been met with scepticism by the leader of North Somerset.

Councillor Mike Bell, a Liberal Democrat, said he could not simply "wish away" geographical constraints on the land in his region.

It is after the new Labour Government announced the return of targets last week, as well as plans to reclassify parts of the green belt as "grey belt" land.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned councils must approve the numbers needed to hit Labour's housing manifesto pledge, of 1.5 million homes in the next five years.

'We already have a plan'

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Bell said: "In practice around 85% of our land area is green belt, area of outstanding natural beauty, or flood plain, so we are constrained in what we can build."

His authority has approved a local development plan that allows for 15,000 new homes over the next 15 years.

"We're absolutely committed to playing our part, but we've already gone through a process with local communities.

"What I can't do is wish away the natural geography of the area, no matter what the government's arbitrary targets say."

The Conservative government under Boris Johnson set targets for housebuilding in 2019, but these were ditched when Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister amid objections from party members.

Councillor Bell said he has "serious concerns" over the government imposing new housing targets on local councils

However Bristol's former cabinet member for housing said the industry is "excited" by the government's announcement.

Paul Smith, who's now chief executive of Elim Housing Association, was part of a Labour administration in Bristol that tried to significantly increase new build numbers in the city.

"Irrespective of what the policies are, the fact the first speech from the Chancellor is about housing has really enthused the sector and me as well.

"I've been banging on about housing for decades trying to make governments see how important it is," he said.

He added there would always be tensions between councils in rural areas and the government on housing targets, but that "the formula will respect that some authorities are bigger than others, some more urban than others".