Cheshire East Council can now demonstrate a housing land supply figure of 7.5 years, up from 7.2 years in the same period in the previous year.
The increased figure of 7.5 years supply of housing land places the council comfortably above the five-year threshold, which all councils are expected to demonstrate when contesting planning applications that run contrary to local planning guidelines.
Under national planning policy, planning inspectors can approve controversial applications where a local planning authority cannot show that it has a five-year housing land supply – an issue which has led to a number of unpopular housing schemes in the open countryside on the edge of towns and villages in previous years in Cheshire East.
As of 31 March 2019, the council had a requirement to show that 11,802 new dwellings could be built in the next five years. It is now able to show that 17,733 new homes can be built – the equivalent of a 7.5 year's supply.
Additionally the council can also point to a record level of housebuilding in 2018/19, when a total of 3,062 new homes were constructed in the borough.
Councillor Toni Fox, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for planning, said: "Having 7.5 years of housing land supply places the council in a strong and resilient position in relation to planning applications in Cheshire East – and reduces, still further, the risk of a planning free-for all.
"This latest assessment means we can properly meet the demand for new homes, including affordable housing, that people need. It also helps ensure a sustainable workforce for our thriving economy in Cheshire East and a sufficient margin to ensure we have greater control over our planning decisions in future.
"I'm encouraged that many house builders are working positively with us and getting new homes built in a prompt and planned manner. We can now focus on ensuring that the remaining sites in our local plan are implemented as soon as possible and that the planning conditions are fully adhered to, in the interests of all our communities."
Cheshire East remains one of the busiest planning authorities in the country.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
We are building too many brick boxes [houses?] in this part ot the country
and is having too great an impact on the environment, our countryside [which
is slow,ly being nibbled away] and the quality of life of the residents. all
so that housebuilding industries can turn in huge profits for their senior
officials.
Also might we come to know how much Sec 106 monies were generated?