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More new homes planned for Basingstoke
ALMOST 1000 new homes a year should be built in Basingstoke and Deane between 2006 and 2026, according to the Government.
Having reviewed the South East Plan - the blueprint for development in the region up to 2026 - Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for communities and local government, proposed the borough take 945 homes a year rather than the 825 homes a year recommended by a panel of independent planning inspectors.
The recommendation would mean 18,900 new homes should be built in the borough by 2026 - 2,400 more than the panel recommended and 4,100 more than Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council pledged to build.
Council leader councillor Andrew Finney told The Gazette: "It's no real surprise the Government have set top down imposition of housing numbers on Basingstoke and Deane.
"We will continue to resist that as far as we can, whilst as the same time looking to press for the infrastructure investment required if we are to deliver our planned housing numbers let alone the Government's."
Mrs Blears recommended the number of homes built annually in Hart during the same period rise from 200 to 220, a total of 4,400 by 2026.
The Government today launched a consultation on its recommendations, which will run until October 24.
Communities minister Parmjit Dhanda said: "Beyond the short-term squeeze of the credit crunch the number of new households are still outgrowing the number of homes being built - first time buyers are getting older and more people are choosing to live alone.
"If more homes are not built now for the long term the housing ladder will get even further out of reach leaving the next generation with nowhere to live."
2:33pm Thursday 17th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jo Walke on 4:44pm Thu 17 Jul 08
The amount of work/time put into the South East Plan appears to be a bit of a waste of time if government can then just pencil over recommendations made by planning inspectors.
Is the government promising the additional funds for infrastructure that undoubtedly will be needed to accomodate the original recommendations - let alone any increase imposed on top by them?
Does Parmjit Dhanda realise that first time buyers always used to be a little older than they have been recently? and are we sure that all this 'living alone' business isn't being promoted by the substantial increases in the availability of smaller properties?
If looking at the longer term, especially for this borough, we need to look at providing modest three bedroom housing - particularly in the affordable area - this would assist to stabilise prices, avoid the 'need' to move, free up smaller properties and, if combined with a fresh approach to the housing list, whittle that waiting list.
In reality unless the effects of the credit crunch suddenly disappear overnight developers are not going to be in any hurry to - develop!
The amount of work/time put into the South East Plan appears to be a bit of a waste of time if government can then just pencil over recommendations made by planning inspectors.
Is the government promising the additional funds for infrastructure that undoubtedly will be needed to accomodate the original recommendations - let alone any increase imposed on top by them?
Does Parmjit Dhanda realise that first time buyers always used to be a little older than they have been recently? and are we sure that all this 'living alone' business isn't being promoted by the substantial increases in the availability of smaller properties?
If looking at the longer term, especially for this borough, we need to look at providing modest three bedroom housing - particularly in the affordable area - this would assist to stabilise prices, avoid the 'need' to move, free up smaller properties and, if combined with a fresh approach to the housing list, whittle that waiting list.
In reality unless the effects of the credit crunch suddenly disappear overnight developers are not going to be in any hurry to - develop!
Posted by: angie, basingstoke on 5:57pm Thu 17 Jul 08
I would have thought a rather more important consideration would be employment - where will all these people in these new homes work - London?[italic]italic[/italic]
I would have thought a rather more important consideration would be employment - where will all these people in these new homes work - London?
Posted by: David, Chineham on 8:33pm Fri 18 Jul 08
...and how will they get to London? Infrastructure also matters. It includes doctors surgeries, driving centres, postal service, traffic...
Jo I agree with you. The standard 3-bedroomed house as seen in Chineham, Hatch Warren and Kempshott is what we need to build.
...and how will they get to London? Infrastructure also matters. It includes doctors surgeries, driving centres, postal service, traffic...
Jo I agree with you. The standard 3-bedroomed house as seen in Chineham, Hatch Warren and Kempshott is what we need to build.
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