MICHAEL Gove has BINNED controversial house-building targets for local councils.
In a major win for Tory rebels who hate new developments in their area, government determined targets will now be “advisory”, not mandatory.
GettyThe government has scrapped plans to set housebuilding targets for local authorities[/caption]
And in a separate victory for pro-development green Tories, a ban on new onshore windfarms that’s been in place since 2016 is expected to be lifted.
In a letter to Conservative MPs today, Mr Gove conceded “there is no truly objective way of calculating how many new homes are needed in an area”.
But the Housing Secretary added that the “plan-making process for housing has to start with a number”.
Tensions around house-building reached boiling point last week as more than 100 Tory backbenchers threatened to rebel over the government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration bill.
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NIMBY ‘not in my backyard’ MPs proposed an amendment to the legislation that would force the government to scrap local thresholds.
Ministers want Britain to build 300,000 new homes per year, and introduced local targets to help meet that goal.
More houses means less pressure on the housing market, ultimately bringing down prices.
And without an increase in housing supply prices could stay eye-wateringly high due to massive demand across Britain.
But NIMBY Tories hate local targets because they think new developments ruin the look and vibe of their area and are unpopular at the ballot box.
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In a major government climbdown, thresholds will now be a “starting point” only.
Councils will be permitted to build fewer homes if they experience “genuine constraints” or if new homes would “significantly change the character” of their area.
The power of planning inspectors has been weakened and brownfield sites will be emphasised above greenfield land for new buildings.
Commenting on the NIMBY victory against targets, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said: “The new language we’ve agreed will work with communities, speaking to the character of areas and celebrating the beauty of good design.
“It understands the need for farmland, will significantly emphasise brownfield over greenfield development and will help deliver homes for young people.”
Shadow Housing Secretary Lisa Nandy accused the government of failing young people by backing down on its original plans.
She said: “We offered Labour votes to defeat the rebels, but Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove seem to have chosen party before country.
“This is so weak. In office but not in power.”
Meanwhile, anti-NIMBY environmental Tories threatened a separate rebellion unless the government ends a ban on new onshore windfarms.
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Among the big names to sign an amendment by Michael Gove’s predecessor Simon Clarke demanding the moratorium ends are ex-PMs Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
Mr Gove is expected to confirm the ban will end next week.