The Pickles' Effect: Council to Slash Housebuilding Target by Nearly 60%

A local authority is set to reduce its housing target by nearly 60%. Mid Sussex District Council is due to rubber stamp a recommendation to build just 370 homes a year over the next five years - a reduction of 57% on the target imposed by the previous Government. In July this year, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles revoked the South East Plan and gave local authorities the power to set the required level of housing in their area. Mid Sussex District Council says it has taken this opportunity to conduct its own assessment rather than rely on Government imposed targets. The findings of the council's Local Housing Assessment Five Year Position were presented to the council's Better Environment Advisory Group at a meeting last month. At that meeting, councillors decided that a figure of 370 homes a year is the 'most realistic and robust' requirement against which to show a five-year housing land supply. This is significantly lower than the 855 homes per year figure previously required under the South East Plan. Read more on 24dash.