CCH seek opt out from housing targets
In a desperate move, CCH has launched a campaign for Hart District to opt out of the Government housing targets. The say:
We are therefore asking all residents who like us, want no more forced housing in Hart, to support us on a call to central government, via our MP Ranil Jayawardena, to remove Hart from any future government housing allocation.
Many of us have thought for some time that CCH displayed quite authoritarian tendencies. But this is virtually a declaration of independence on housing policy. Something tells us that Ranil won’t be receiving many emails.
Already building more than Local Plan Requires
The irony in their position is that they are in power when we are building far more than required. In each of the past five years, Hart has built far more than Local Plan requirement of 423 dpa.
Hart District Annual Housing Completions to Mar 2020
Of course, they may argue that this is because many planning permissions were granted when Hart did not have a Local Plan.
No Intention of Reviewing the Local Plan
But looking forward, the most recently published housing target for Hart is 286dpa. Yet, despite being asked, they have no intention of reviewing the Local Plan to take advantage of this new, lower figure.
So, we are building more than is required by both the Local Plan and more than the Government housing target.
Shapley Heath will Add to the Excess Building
Yet, they are still planning Shapley Heath. The most recent housing trajectory for this project has housing delivery starting in 2024. The steady state housing trajectory is 360 dpa. Even on its own, Shapley Heath delivers far more than the Government housing target.
Shapley Heath Housing Trajectory Sept 2020
All of the housing delivered by Shapley Heath will be in addition to the Local Plan.
Shapley Heath in addition to Local Plan
Adding it all up, over the period that Shapley Heath will be built, it will deliver about 2,400 houses in excess of requirements.
CCH seek opt out from housing targets as they plan Shapley Heath to build more than Local Plan requirement
Perhaps it would be better for CCH to spend their time getting their own house in order instead of indulging in ridiculous grandstanding.
Shapley Heath Survey
You might like to respond to the Shapley Heath survey. We have produced a handy guide with suggestions as to how you might choose to answer the freeform questions. It can be found on the link below. The full survey can be found here.
