Scrapping government housing targets would be a disaster for the country, says the managing director of a leading Midlands developer.
Luke Simmons, managing director of Northamptonshire-based housebuilders Cora, made the comments amid a row in Westminster over national targets.
A rumoured backbench rebellion could effectively see the annual target of 300,000 new homes a year scrapped entirely – and leave the responsibility delegated to local authorities, hampering growth.
Luke said:
“Without housing targets there is no incentive for councils to approve planning applications. We have already seen how councils will reject applications purely because they want to appease their voters.
“Government housing targets are the only means we have to encourage councils to support new housing. They are crucial to addressing the housing shortage in this country.
“A big part of this discussion comes down to councils’ inability to come up with robust housing plans – the idea of scrapping targets all together is a bit like telling your child to stop doing their homework for good because the work has got too hard.”
Figures released earlier this year showed the government failed to meet its 300,000 new homes target in 2021, with 181,810 completed nationwide. It is feared such low numbers would worsen if targets were to be scrapped.
Luke added the Westminster row is a distraction from the key long-term problem of the UK not having enough energy efficient homes.
Sustainability is baked into the heart of Cora homes, with the business having pledged to halve its carbon emissions by 2030 – while it already uses recycled ocean plastics as a building material on its developments.
Luke said:
“This country needs homes, and it needs sustainable homes that are built for the future with energy efficiency in mind.
“Without targets set by the government, we cannot trust that goal will be achieved.”
More information on Cora and its developments can be found at www.cora.uk.