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Babergh District Councillors have condemned Government proposals to undermine restrictions on the total number of new homes to be built in the district whilst simultaneously watering down requirements on the percentage of such homes that are affordable to local people.
Babergh’s Strategy Committee was today responding to the Government’s proposed changes to the East of England Plan which sets the framework for development across the region and by districts up until 2021.
In particular, Councillors were extremely concerned over plans to treat the number of new homes scheduled to be built in Babergh over that time (increased from 5200 to 5600) as a minimum as opposed to a maximum figure. Furthermore, although Babergh’s adopted Local Plan aims to ensure that up to 35% of properties in new housing developments are affordable to people on low to moderate incomes (ie either rented or shared ownership), the Government merely proposes that the number of affordable homes being built in the region be merely monitored.
According to Committee Chairman, Cllr. Nick Ridley “as they stand, the Government’s regional planning policies could lead to the perverse situation of more homes being built, of which fewer will be affordable by local people. This is clearly a retrograde step. Babergh is fundamentally opposed to both of these possible changes and is writing to the Government outlining its objections”.
Babergh is also worried that any increases in the total number of homes to be built in the district might come at the cost of jobs, as developers seek consent to build many of the potential sites for significant housing developments are on land currently earmarked for employment uses.
“The people of Babergh want any development in the district to be balanced and sustainable. Babergh residents need the chance to work locally, just as they do the chance to live here – at an affordable price. Although Babergh has convinced Government officials that we can only take a lower number of new houses than most surrounding districts, if these proposals are not changed, we risk being the victims of a developmental tsunami which will hurt the vulnerable and only help the developers” concluded Cllr. Nick Ridley
More information about the Local Development Framework.
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