NEWS that the Government is to shake-up housing targets so they are flexible according to local circumstances has been welcomed by one of the borough’s four MPs.
On Monday, it was announced that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill currently going through Parliament would be amended to allow ‘the right homes in the right places with the right infrastructure’, and would give residents a greater say on where news developments would be placed.
At the moment, Wokingham borough has to look to build nearly 800 new homes every year, but under the new proposals this will no longer be a fixed target.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said: “We have an urgent need in this country to build more homes so that everyone – whether they aspire to home ownership or not – can have a high-quality, affordable place to live. But our planning system is not working as it should.
“If we are to deliver the new homes this country needs, new development must have the support of local communities.”
James Sunderland, the MP for Bracknell, told Wokingham Today: “I have been clear since being elected in 2019 that we must not concrete over what is left of our open spaces.
“Having fought hard against top-down housing targets, I am delighted that their abolition will now allow local people to better protect their own communities.
“It will also give our councils the power to say ‘no’ to unscrupulous developers and landowners.
“Yes, we do need more housing and the Conservatives have a proud record of delivering on local plans, but we must also protect the green spaces that we have and ensure that house-building only occurs in the right places.”
This view was shared by Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood, who said in a House of Commons debate in June: “It is embarrassing if planning inspectors grant permissions to build more homes and there then has to be a scramble to put in a cable big enough to take the extra power.”
Wokingham Borough Council leader Cllr Clive Jones also welcomed the change in policy.
“We’re very, very pleased,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to taking up invitation to join a round table discussion with ministers on the matter.
“It gives us a chance to influence housing numbers, something a leader of Wokingham Borough Council has never had a chance to do before.
“It means more influence on the type of housing that is built in Wokingham. We need more affordable homes.
“Our position has led us to having a big opportunity to have an influence on government policy.”
Cllr Jones’ predecessor, Cllr John Halsall, also lobbied the government – then led by Boris Johnson – over housing numbers.
