Housing targets set 'too fast', says councillors

The government's new housing targets could lead to more "uncontrolled development" and were being implemented "too fast" in an area, according to councillors.

The Greater Cambridge Shared Planning (GCSP) service said the fact the housing targets took effect immediately meant their five-year "land supply" was now inadequate.

The service - covering Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire - has had a local plan in place, but after the targets were increased the councils needed to create a new plan, showing how they would meet the targets.

If councils do not have an adequate plan then some developments, which may not be what the councils want, are more likely to get planning permission.

"Land supply" means land that has planning permission for new homes and is likely to be built on within five years.

According to a statement issued by the GCSP, the housing target for the two councils was increased by around a third, from 1,726 to 2,309 homes per year.

They say a buffer has also been introduced which, combined with the increase, means the service needs to be able to demonstrate they will build more than 12,100 homes in the Greater Cambridge area over five years.

The GCSP reported in April 2024 that the housing trajectory for the five-year period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029 was 11,190 homes, equating to a demonstrated supply of 6.5 years prior to the changes in December 2024.

However, with the new target set by government increasing to 12,100, effective immediately, the supply has fallen to just under five years.

The immediacy of the new housing targets has caused concern among the Liberal Democrat leadership at South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Lead cabinet member for planning, Tumi Hawkins, said the "guidance has been implemented too fast" and called for a transition period.

Those views were echoed by leader Bridget Smith, who said the "inflexibility risks compromising" their ability to build "new, high quality affordable homes".

Conservative opposition leader Heather Williams said she feared it would lead to unsustainable developments.

"This is not just about where houses are built," she said.

"It's about our communities, some of which may grow out of control as a consequence – putting more pressure on local schools and GP surgeries."

The executive councillor for planning, building control and infrastructure on the Labour-run Cambridge City Council, Katie Thornburrow, said she recognised that "changing the target for new homes with immediate effect creates some challenges", but said she was confident they could be met.

She said: "As part of preparing our next housing trajectory report to be published in April 2025, planning officers will explore options to remove barriers and speed up the delivery of the 36,000 new homes that already have planning permission in Greater Cambridge, as well as identifying suitable future developments – such as the council's own housebuilding programme – in order to meet the new target."

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