Council criticises 'moronic' government housing targets

Cotswold District Council is among many authorities told they will have to accommodate thousands of new homes each year

Cotswold council leaders say speculative developers are "honing in on greenfield sites" following the Government's new "moronic" housing targets.

The government's changes to the way housing targets for each area are calculated mean Cotswold District Council's housing needs have more than doubled.

The Cotswolds are in desperate need of affordable housing to help retain the district's youth.

But around 80% of the land is protected for its natural beauty and distinctive character.

Council leaders say speculative developers are "honing in on greenfield sites"

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cotswold District Council is among many authorities told they will have to allocate more land to accommodate thousands of new homes each year.

Council leader Mike Evemy told a meeting on 16 July he would write to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner setting out the Cotswold District's unique circumstances.

Mr Evemy said: "In December 2024, new government housing targets were imposed on this district.

"A district where 80% of the land, 790 square miles, is designated national landscape. Now we have a housing target of 1,036 new homes per year up from 420."

Former council leader Joe Harris described the target as "moronic" and blasted the Government for putting the Cotswold District in an "impossible position".

He said he could not believe the Labour government's housing targets when they were released in December.

Cllr Harris added: "They've doubled our target, so that means a thousand homes a year, predominantly going in areas that are in the 20% not in the area of outstanding natural beauty.

"It is madness and it has definitely been done on a spreadsheet by civil servants somewhere, I hope. Because no politician could put their name to this, quite frankly."