Staffordshire councils are bracing themselves for orders to build more houses due to updates to the National Planning Policy Framework.
Under draft changes across Staffordshire, councils would have to build over 130 per cent more houses than they currently do.
Changes are currently being proposed to the National Planning Policy Framework, the key policy document which governs development across England and sets out the Government’s planning policies. This means the reintroduction of housing targets which were dropped by the previous government in December last year.
The eight borough and district councils in Staffordshire under the current method for assessing development needs say that 2,145 are needed every year. Now under the new proposed methodology 4,944 would be needed – an increase of 2,798.
Announcing the changes, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:
“Today marks a significant step to getting Britain building again.
“Our decisive reforms to the planning system correct the errors of the past and set us on our way to tackling the housing crisis, delivering 1.5 million homes for those who really need them.
“And something I am personally proud of, our new flexibilities for councils will boost the number of social and affordable homes, and give working families a better route to a secure home.”
The changes have been made to secure 1.5 million homes over the next five years and will require councils to reassess greenbelt land to meet targets. New development in the greenbelt should deliver 50 percent affordable homes, increase access to green spaces, and put the necessary infrastructure in place, such as schools and GP surgeries.
The reforms also make clear that development should aim for brownfield land, and the default answer to brownfield development should be yes. The consultation runs until 24 September 2024, with the expectation that the changes could be formalised by the end of the year.
The new housing targets that are proposed for Staffordshire district and borough authorities are as follows:
| Council | Previous Method | Proposed Method | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannock Chase District Council | 248 | 555 | 307 (124% increase) |
| East Staffordshire Borough Council | 417 | 644 | 227 (55% increase) |
| Lichfield District Council | 289 | 753 | 464 (160% increase) |
| Newcastle Borough Council | 330 | 593 | 263 (80% increase) |
| South Staffordshire Council | 223 | 676 | 453 (204% increase) |
| Stafford Borough Council | 358 | 782 | 424 (199% increase) |
| Staffordshire Moorlands District Council | 159 | 497 | 339 (213% increase) |
| Tamworth Borough Council | 123 | 444 | 321 (261% increase) |
1 comment
Kathleen Marsden
In 20 years Penkridge has had 5 large developments built and has planning applications for another 1000 homes to be built but not one piece of infrastructure has been included in these builds. What was once a tiny village is now a sprawling housing estate without any amenities. How much more can we take. Every day the man A449 through us is blocked and if anything at all happens on the m6 we can’t get in or out of here because of gridlock in all directions. We will need a bypass soon as the hub on the outskirts has started to be built which will allow hundreds of trucks a day to use this main road. Utter madness. But then none of the politicians live here do they ?