We can’t put Pokemon posters up – the families left in limbo by the housing crisis

The leader of the council, Steve Pitt says it will be impossible for the coastal authority to deliver that many homes.

He described the target as “stupid and arbitrary” and says it is pointless if there is nowhere to build.

“Portsmouth has a pretty unique geography. Eleven of the 14 wards in Portsmouth are on an island, so we only have a very limited amount of brownfield space,” he says.

“We’ve always tried to explain this to government. They don’t tend to listen.”

Mr Pitt says the most homes the authority will be able to deliver is 800 a year, falling well short of the target.

“It doesn’t matter whether they tell us to build more homes or not, or whether they want to fine us – they won’t be built because there’s nowhere to build them.”

He accepts the area needs more homes and says the government should provide sufficient funding for affordable house building to get plans moving.

At the moment, he says it’s “not viable” for social providers or private developers because they cannot guarantee future rental income will cover the build costs.