Havant Fumes Over Proposed Plan To Nearly Double New Homes
Havant Borough Council has slammed the government’s planning reform proposals that would rocket its housing targets by a whopping 91%. The borough faces being forced to build 963 homes a year, up from the current 504.
Council Demands Government Rethinks Unrealistic Targets
The council, long seen as pro-development and quick to act, says the hike is impossible given Havant’s small size and limited land. Officials are putting the final touches on a 15-year Local Plan based on the current targets — already a tough ask.
Deputy Leader Councillor Gary Hughes blasted the government’s plans: “It’s simply impossible to meet nearly double the number of homes with the land we have.”
He added: “We support building more than 500 homes a year to 2037, but this huge jump ignores reality. We’re calling on the government to make the targets fair and achievable.”
Land Shortage And Policy Clash Raise Alarms
- Havant warns it can’t share housing targets with neighbouring areas under the new rules.
- The borough fears it’ll have to greenlight unsuitable developments just to hit unrealistic numbers.
- Councillor Hughes points out that the government’s proposals clash with the National Planning Policy Framework that demands development protect economic, social, and environmental needs.
With historic sites, natural beauty, and urban limits in play, Havant fears the new rules may wreck the very character the council fights to preserve.
