Bucks Council 'concerned' with 95,000 new homes target as local plan develops
Bucks Council said it remains concerned about Government housing targets for the county as it continues to develop its local plan.
The authority released an update this morning on its consultations regarding the scheme which will outline how it plans to construct a further 95,000 homes in the county over a 20-year period.
Within the legally-mandated plan, the authority will outline how it plans to meet future housing targets, manage the economy, open and maintain community facilities, and protect the countryside.
Bucks Council leader, Councillor Steven Broadbent, said: “Developing a plan that meets the housing target for Buckinghamshire puts real pressure on our county as 95,000 new homes is 43% higher than requirements under the previous Government’s needs-based methodology. The impact of such development on Buckinghamshire is immense but doing nothing is not an option as having an up-to-date plan is essential to prevent speculative development and ensure infrastructure is properly planned.”
When elected to Government in 2023, Labour said it would build 1.5m homes during its five-year term. This was to be achieved by reforming the planning system within the country and making more areas available for housing projects, Government officials said in 2024.
Councillor Broadbent added: “It is a major concern is that these imposed housing numbers do not come with any Government funding for the infrastructure that would be needed to support such growth. While developers will contribute to some of the required investment, this will cover only a fraction of the multibillion‑pound costs associated with new roads, transport links, schools, healthcare provision, sewerage systems and energy infrastructure. Central Government will need to step up and plug the gaps if their development targets are to be met.
“The council remains committed to doing all it can to protect our precious Green Belt and AONB (National Landscapes) and we are adopting a ‘brownfield before greenfield’ approach outside of the Green Belt. In addition, our town centres will have to develop and grow, using current Government methodologies for density, placing even more reliance on existing infrastructure and exacerbating the need for further funding and investment.”
Over 1,300 residents have participated in the council’s consultation. Organisations and individuals can comment on the council’s active site survey here, before it closes on March 16. A draft of the local plan will be published this summer.