Crispin Blunt MP has expressed concerns about proposals which inform the ‘Planning for the right homes in the right places’ consultation outlined today by The Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which links to the Government’s Housing White Paper.

Crispin Blunt commented: “Whilst I share concerns about failings of our current housing market, I do not believe that the solution is to create excessive new homes targets for all local authorities across the country, especially those which are already overdeveloped, or where land use is restricted by ‘Green Belt’ or ‘Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty’ designations. I believe the solution to our housing problems is to build more homes in areas of the country that have been earmarked for economic development, rather than in areas that are not suitable for further expansion.

“I agree that there needs to be re-assessment of housing market needs, but I have deep reservations about the proposed methodology. We need to incentivize more homes in regions and cities in need of development, whilst ensuring that those areas of the country unsuitable for large-scale housing expansion are under less obligation to provide new homes.

“By adding 40% to the number of homes to be built in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead by ministerial fiat is of itself arbitrary and a further threat to the supposedly valuable green spaces in the Green Belt.”