An overhaul of the planning system to pave the way for 1.5 million new homes over the next five years has been unveiled.
Every English council has been given increased targets for building new homes in their area, including York and North Yorkshire.
The mandatory targets were revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to tackle England’s acute housing crisis.
Ms Rayner, who is also Housing Secretary, said her “radical plan” will help “get the homes we desperately need”, as well as “drive the growth, create jobs and breathe life back into towns and cities”.
Councils may need to “release some elements” of green belt land to meet housing targets, housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said,
So what are the new targets for York and North Yorkshire?
York
- Under the existing target, York was due to built 1,020 homes. The new mandatory target is 1,251 homes.
- The average number of homes built in York between 2020/21 and 2022/23 was 476. So York must increase the rate it builds by 2.6 times.
North Yorkshire
- Under the current target, North Yorkshire was due to build 1,361 homes. The new mandatory target, for the new North Yorkshire Council is 4,232 homes.
- The average number of homes built in North Yorkshire between 2020/21 and 2022/23 was 3,150. So it must increase the rate it builds by 1.34 times.
The response
Political opponents have criticised the new targets, with one North Yorkshire Conservative MP describing them as “complete madness”.
But Labour says the programme is crucial to create affordable housing.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said: “This is the most important statement that has been made for the whole time I have been in Parliament.
“I welcome Labour’s ambition on housing so that people across York can get the housing they need.
“Today’s announcement will mean that people will be able to get the home they could have only dreamed of in the past, and importantly, those that rent will be able to access council housing as we get local authorities building again.”
Cllr Pete Kilbane, deputising for Mayor David Skaith, said the government’s plans tied-in with those of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to provide “more affordable homes across our coastal, urban and rural communities”
He said: “Plans to ease rules on developing grey belt and brownfield land will also provide valuable opportunities to address our region’s housing needs as well as providing land for vital infrastructure, where appropriate.
“We believe quality, affordable homes support local prosperity which in-turn feeds in to the wider UK economy.”
Cllr Darryl Smalley, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for housing on City of York Council, said: “Until this week, York had a Local Plan with cross party support that would have delivered on York’s housing needs.
“Labour have ripped this up, adding an extra 6,000 houses with zero consultation whatsoever.
“It’s telling that Labour’s London bosses have reduced London’s housing targets by 20,000 a year whilst forcing York and other Northern cities to pick up the slack with unachievable targets.
“The Labour council’s housing boss, Councillor Pavlovic, Rachael Maskell, and Luke Charters should all come clean with the public and tell us exactly which areas of York’s green belt they think should be built on.
“Everyone accepts the need to build more homes, as too many families and young people are being priced out of York – but we had a plan, backed by the public, which achieved that balance. Labour’s attempt to concrete over York’s green spaces must be stopped.”
And Conservative MP for Thirsk & Malton Kevin Hollinrake tweeted: “Angela Rayner’s new housing numbers for North Yorkshire are complete madness – 300%+ increase from 1,300 per annum to 4,200.
“This will undermine the much good work already being done by North Yorkshire Council to deliver affordable homes across the county as local communities will resist development on this scale.”