Drive for new housing could swamp services, county councils warn

The CCN represents England’s 20 county councils and 17 unitary authorities in shire areas.

This month the CCN has surveyed its members – made up of 29 Conservative, six Lib Dem and two Labour local authorities – about the proposals.

None of the 21 councils which responded supported the government’s new target for their area, with 94% saying the targets were excessive.

Nine in 10 councils blamed a lack of infrastructure, and more than half said there was a lack of suitable land for the proposed new housing numbers.

The CCN called for the current system of allowing councils to set their own local plans that guide development in their areas to continue.

Local authorities are meant to create these plans through consultation with residents, businesses and local stakeholders.

Labour has maintained the reforms will supply infrastructure – schools, GP surgeries, transport links and green spaces – alongside new housing.

Announcing the plans, Deputy PM and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said, external the government would ensure “people get the homes they need locally and see the infrastructure that improves nature and their local area”.

If the new guidance comes into place, councils will have to demonstrate they have a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites to meet the new targets.

If there is not enough land to meet housing targets, councils will be encouraged to build on a new category of “grey belt” land, which Labour says will consist of poor-quality parts of the green belt – areas of land that are protected from most forms of development.