More new homes planned for Basingstoke

2:33pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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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."