300 more homes a year would be needed in Peterborough under new government proposals

The number of homes needed to be built in Peterborough will increase by 300 a year if new government proposals are adopted.
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Boris Johnson recently announced that an annual housing target will be set - currently 337,000 a year - with councils given their own quotas to meet.

Currently, Peterborough’s Local Plan has set a target for 942 new dwellings a year on average until 2021, before rising to 982 in the following 25 years.

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However, under the new local targets that figure would rise to an average of 1,282 a year.

Castor, Ailsworth and Upton residents protesting against plans for 2,500 homes near Castor Hangland EMN-170215-161941009Castor, Ailsworth and Upton residents protesting against plans for 2,500 homes near Castor Hangland EMN-170215-161941009
Castor, Ailsworth and Upton residents protesting against plans for 2,500 homes near Castor Hangland EMN-170215-161941009

This could spark a battle between Peterborough City Council and local communities, many of whom have previously challenged attempts to designate space in their areas for housing.

Noticeably, the most recently adopted Peterborough Local Plan saw plans for 2,500 homes on countryside near Castor and Ailsworth scrapped after a lengthy and spirited campaign by the villagers, although the council claimed it was due to a change in government calculations meaning the homes were no longer needed.

Residents in Eye have also been vocal in opposing more development in the village.

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Fortunately for the council, the new housing targets are not due to take effect until it reviews its Local Plan in a few years’ time.

Under the new government proposals, councils are to be given up to three-and-half-years to designate areas for growth, renewal or protection. Once that is done, councillors will have little say over specific applications.

At the moment, planning decisions which are significant or could be deemed controversial are made by a council committee in public meetings.

The figures for the new housing quotas were revealed by planning and development consultancy Lichfields and have been confirmed by the council.

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A spokesperson for the local authority said: “We are aware that government is consulting on the changes to the national standard method for calculating housing need. In due course the council will respond to this consultation.

“We are aware that, if implemented as consulted upon, the nominal house building ‘target’ for Peterborough would increase by around 300 new homes per annum, from nearly 1,000 new dwellings per annum to nearly 1,300 new dwellings per annum.

“However, the Peterborough Local Plan was adopted in July 2019 (just over one year ago) and sets a target for 17,470 dwellings between 2018 and 2036, or an average provision of 942 dwellings per year to 2021, and 982 per year thereafter.

“These Local Plan figures will remain the council’s housing target for the foreseeable future, even if government introduces, as it proposes to do, the new method for calculating housing requirements.

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“That new method will not take precedence over the recently adopted Peterborough Local Plan. As such, there is no immediate consequence arising from the new method for Peterborough.

“Our figures will remain as per the adopted Peterborough Local Plan. As and when, in a few years time, Peterborough commences a review of its Local Plan, then it will take account of whatever the government method is at that point in time.”