Maldon district: 'We will set our own housing targets' (From Gazette)

Maldon district: 'We will set our own housing targets'

10:10am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Maldon By Ryan Jennings

COUNCIL bosses have hit back at Government targets which say the district should plan for nearly 9,000 new homes by 2033.

The Department for Communities and Local Government says Maldon District Council should be preparing for 8,739 new homes but Penny Channer, chair of the district council’s planning and licensing committee, says the council will not be bullied into making rash decisions.

“The Government projections do not set the housing target or requirement for Maldon District Council,” said Mrs Channer.

“The projections provide a broad assessment that is predominantly based on past trends and fails to take account a number of other important factors, such as local policy and circumstances and supply constraints.”

The Localism Bill, which is due to be passed in April, will allow housing targets to be set solely by district councils and every local authority must plan to hit targets over the next 15 years.

When setting targets, councils must show they have taken into account the overall need for new homes and the environmental and social impacts of the new homes.

A public consultation on the future of homes in the Maldon district is expected to take place during the summer.