Concerns over 'astronomically' high housing target

Council leaders say the target set by the government is none sensible

Council leaders have voiced concern that government-imposed housing targets are "astronomically" high and "not sensible".

The Labour government increased local housing targets as part of its pledge to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament – with Somerset's target rising by 41%.

Somerset Council is in the early stages of creating its new Local Plan, which is expected to be formally adopted in the spring of 2029.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said they had "inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory" and expected all areas of the UK to play their part.

Local Plans set out what can be built and where over a period of at least 15 years.

They also help to decide where investment is needed for infrastructure like roads, schools and health services.

Councillor Mike Rigby said the government's increased housing targets are "astronomical"

The first draft of the Somerset Local Plan will be going out to public consultation in April.

Councillor Mike Rigby, lead member for economic development planning, said: "In the next Local Plan, we're being asked to find space in Somerset for 75,000 new homes over the next 20 years.

"It's an astronomical number, and one with which I frankly have some quarrel.

"It's taken since the dawn of time until today for the population of the Somerset Council area to reach 580,000 – and I've no idea why the government think that is going to increase by a further 30% in the next 20 years."

Housing Secretary Steve Reed has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in England

Chris Winter, Managing Director of West of England Developments, told BBC Radio Somerset he did not believe the planning system would allow that number of houses to be built.

He added: "Even if we can find the land for it, let alone the trade and the materials to construct the homes."

Mr Rigby has now written to the new housing secretary, MP Steve Reed, stating that the number was "not sensible".

Mr Reed told the BBC the country could "absolutely" reach the 1.5 million housing target set out by the government.

He said: "We can do anything in this country that we want to do."

Numerous parish councillors raised the issue when the council's planning and transport policy sub-committee met in Taunton on October 8.

Harriet Chappell, who sits on Queen Camel Parish Council, said: "When our Neighbourhood Plan was written in 2019, we had just under 300 houses in the village, and we stipulated that we were going to be looking at 30 new houses over a ten-year period.

"We've already got a high street which is dominated by overweight HGVs. What's going to happen to the character of these villages?"

At another meeting on 15 October, North Somerset Council said it would move forward with the next stage of its Local Plan.

The updated plan for North Somerset proposes 24,495 new homes between 2026 and 2041, alongside around 72 hectares of land for new employment space.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "We inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory.

"That's why all areas including Somerset must play their part to build 1.5 million homes and restore the dream of homeownership.

"Our revised housing targets have been set in line with the needs of local areas, so more homes will be built in the right places alongside the necessary infrastructure."