Action plan drawn up after housing target in Fenland missed

The district saw 1,294 dwellings completed between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2019 - 120 below the total required.

Moreover, because the 95 per cent completion figure was missed, Fenland District Council has to prepare an action plan to increase delivery in future years.

The draft plan which has been drawn up states that “sufficient planning applications are granted” and that there is “sufficient land” to meet the housing targets.

But it notes that issues preventing developments from progressing include a “lack of viability” due to low house prices and problems with “infrastructure,” such as the road network.

More than 3,000 homes currently have planning permission, with the vast majority under 10 dwellings.

And between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2019, on average 800 homes a year were granted planning permission.

However, the annual completion of new properties is only half this amount.

A new Local Plan - which outlines areas designated for future housing growth - is being worked on, while the council has set up a local authority trading company called Fenland Future Limited and produced a Viability Report for the district.

Fenlnd District Council’s Cabinet will decide whether to approve the action plan at its meeting on Wednesday.