The Local Government Authority (LGA) has today (Sept 15) said that the new housing targets will jeopardise ambitions to level up the country.
The Government has changed how it decides what areas are in the most need of housing.
The LGA has criticised the new method, claiming that it disproportionally benefits the South, side-lining huge areas of the North.
The new algorithm would see housing in London increase by 161% , when compared to the previous model for determining the need for new builds, while cities such as Newcastle seeing a decrease of 66%.
It is also outlined in the LGA’s statement that houses built need to be adequately supported by infrastructure that provides enough schools, promotes greener and more active travel, and tackles climate change.
Cllr David Renard, LGA housing spokesperson, said:
“Under these plans, some parts of the country will have to ramp up housebuilding with existing targets doubled. Others, mainly cities in the north, will be told they need to build less, which risks reducing the number of homes they had earmarked for development and bulldozing their current house-building plans.
“This seriously jeopardises any ambition to level-up the country. Building new good quality and affordable housing is vital to regenerating our towns and cities, improving our health and wellbeing, creating jobs and enabling local economies to thrive and bounce back following the coronavirus pandemic.
“Algorithms and formulas can never be a substitute for local knowledge and decision-making by councils and communities who know their areas best. When decisions about housing need and developments are made locally, wider issues can be considered, such as ensuring they come with necessary infrastructure and affordable homes.”
