Shock as Government Proposes Massive Increase in Bedford Borough Housebuilding Targets

Under government plans to impose new housebuilding targets on local areas, Bedford Borough Council will be required to plan for the building of 25,600 new homes, an increase of more than a third on current plans.

The shock figures come as Bedford Borough Council is at an advanced stage in producing its local plan on the basis of an extra 19,000 homes by 2035. This was considered an ambitious figure itself, and was identified by an external organisation on the basis of local need.

Now, the government is proposing to standardise the formula for new housing growth across the country, with areas already delivering rapid growth such as Bedford required to support growth on a huge scale in the coming years.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "We've never been anti-housing growth, because we know we need the homes that allow people to live in suitable housing for them and their family. But because we've done well in supporting growth to date, while many other areas haven't pulled their weight, the government is proposing a massive, unsustainable level of housebuilding here. It is far in excess of our locally identified need, and there's no regard for the infrastructure needed to cope.'

"Quite simply, If the government goes ahead with this massive increase in our housebuilding target, it will mean a major extension of house building across the borough, with huge extra pressure on infrastructure."

The government's proposals can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-right-homes-in-the-right-places-consultation-proposals