Local councils across England have expressed significant concerns regarding a government initiative aimed at constructing 1.5 million new homes over the next five years. This flagship plan, revealed by the BBC, has been categorized by council leaders as “unrealistic” and “impossible to achieve.” Such ruminations stem from a consultation conducted by the housing department led by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner earlier in the year, from which the majority of participating councils voiced their discontent. The responses gathered through Freedom of Information laws indicate potential discord between local authorities and the Labour government, which prioritizes this housing agenda.
The government has committed to review these consultation findings and is expected to announce revisions before the conclusion of the year. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has positioned housebuilding as central to the government’s strategy for stimulating economic recovery and addressing the ongoing housing crisis. However, the successful rollout of this plan hinges significantly on local authorities setting and adhering to new housing targets for new residential developments within their jurisdictions.
Although most councils recognize the necessity for added housing, they exhibit apprehension regarding the feasibility of the targets assigned to each of the 317 authorities in England. BBC analyses reveal that the apprehension isn’t limited to a single party, but is pervasive across Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat councils. There is a palpable concern that the algorithm employed to determine these housing targets fails to account for existing strains on local infrastructure, land availability, and a subdued capacity within the planning and construction sectors.
A practical example comes from the Labour-led Broxtowe council in Nottinghamshire, which criticized the proposed housing benchmarks as “very challenging, if not impossible to achieve.” Similarly, South Tyneside described the plans as “wholly unrealistic.” Central Bedfordshire’s independent-run council remarked that the proposed rollout of housing would overwhelm local infrastructure that is already under significant pressure. In stark contrast, some rural areas are faced with dramatically escalated housing targets compared to urban centres; for instance, West Lancashire would see its yearly housing targets surge from 166 to 605.
Gareth Dowling, the deputy leader of the Labour-run West Lancashire council, acknowledged the long-standing need for more housing after a period of stagnation but asserted that the available land does not support such an inflated target, suggesting that it would entail building on arable agricultural land, which raises other policy concerns. Dowling emphasized the necessity for ministers to consider the feedback garnered from the consultation before moving forward with their targets, highlighting the importance of grounding these goals in local realities.
Councils primarily rely on the private sector for property development, and many are concerned that the government’s new targets overlook the operating realities faced by local authorities. Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Home Builders Federation, suggested that while the planning changes proposed by the government were generally positive, a more robust support system for potential homeowners, including access to suitable mortgages, is essential.
The Labour government remains resolute in its ambition to realize these housing initiatives, even hinting at potentially overruling local council objections to fulfill its commitment of constructing 1.5 million homes by 2029. A minority of councils that engaged in the consultation supported the broader idea of increased housing development, while a few welcomed the government’s specific plans. Oxford city council, for example, views the new ambitious targets as an opportunity to meet local housing demand, balancing its desire for collaboration with surrounding districts to accommodate the 24,000 additional homes deemed necessary.
This ambitious expansion plan reflects the painful realities of the current housing crisis, and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has indicated that the government’s aspirations have shifted to even higher targets than previously estimated. Yet the landscape remains muddled, as assertions from the housing minister indicate that there will be no strict national targets imposed. The Ministry of Housing expressed the urgent need to address the prevailing housing crisis while asserting the imperative to construct 1.5 million homes through clearer plans and alterations to planning regulations.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged the government to empower councils by providing them with the necessary resources to contribute towards the new housing targets effectively. Adam Hug, the LGA’s housing spokesperson, underlined the critical need for local expertise to shape housing strategies that resonate with community needs and realities, advocating for a coordinated approach that integrates both national objectives and local insights.
In summary, the local councils’ outcry serves as a pivotal moment of reflection for the Labour government. As housing remains a central pillar of the economic recovery strategy, addressing the realistic capabilities and resources available to local authorities will be essential in creating a coherent and implementable plan for housing development moving forward.
