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UK Government Sets 1.5 Million Home Target Over Next Five Years, Including Grey Belt Development

Dec 12, 2024, 05:59 PM

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has unveiled plans to build 1.5 million new homes in England over the next five years, aiming to address the housing crisis. The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets mandatory targets for local councils, focusing on areas where housing is least affordable. This includes significant increases in housing targets for regions like the South East, London, and parts of Cambridgeshire, with a goal of 370,000 new homes per year. The policy prioritizes brownfield sites but also allows for the development of lower-quality 'grey belt' land within the green belt, sparking controversy over potential environmental impacts. Critics, including the Conservative Party, argue that the plan amounts to a 'war on rural England' and could lead to overdevelopment of green spaces. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has emphasized that the government will intervene if councils fail to meet these targets. However, the government insists that building homes is a top priority, even if it means encroaching on green belt land, with strict requirements for developers to provide necessary infrastructure like nurseries, GP surgeries, and transport. Local councils have expressed concerns about the feasibility of these targets due to strains on local infrastructure, land shortages, and capacity issues within the construction industry.