ARE WE BEING MISLED ON THE HOUSING TARGETS AND THE GREEN BELT???
Dear Supporters,
In his report to the Council meeting(to be held on 10th December 2018) Councillor George Davies (Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning) states “we believe the most recent (2016) projections from the ONS should be adopted. At the moment, the Government are not allowing us to use this latest number, instead insisting we must continue with the bigger target and therefore bigger Green Belt release. They set our targets, we must follow national policy. Unless the Government changes the rules, we must release Green Belt Land for residential development, it is as simple as that”
see page 35 of the report:
https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/…/Public%20reports%20pack%2
We wonder if Councillor George Davies is aware of the Government document “Technical consultation on updates to national planning policy and guidance” dated October 2018? In sect 27 (3) of the document, the Government clarifies that, in the short term, the 2016 projections are not a justification for lower housing need because “Local Housing need does not represent a mandatory target – it is simply a starting point for planning, and local authorities may choose to plan in excess of this or to conclude that they are unable to meet all housing targets within their boundaries, for example due to constraints such as protected designations and Green Belt...”
see sect 27(3):
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/…/LHN_Consultation
Do you agree with George Davies' assertion that the Council MUST release Green Belt Land for development? Or do you think the Council should conclude that they are unable to meet all housing targets within Wirral's boundaries because of Green Belt constraints?
Please write to your Councillors before Mondays Council meeting, let them know what you think and ask them to challenge George Davies' statement.
Thanks for your support. It really is important that our Councillors receive as many emails as possible on this issue to try to ensure that it is debated at next mondays meeting! We are told by many Councillors that the one thing that they really take notice of, is when their inbox being full of emails about a particular issue! Please dont' leave it to someone else - they may be leaving it to you!