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Council that failed housing test criticises Brokenshire after 600-home planning delay

A Conservative district council has hit out at housing secretary James Brokenshire after its low score in the housing delivery test – claiming he has sat on a decision to approve over 600 homes for more than four months.

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James Brokenshire, housing secretary (picture: UK Parliament)
James Brokenshire, housing secretary (picture: UK Parliament)
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Conservative council claims Brokenshire has sat on decision over 600 homes for months following Housing Delivery Test #ukhousing

Conservative council hits out at Brokenshire following housing delivery test #ukhousing

Adur District Council in Sussex was assessed as having delivered just 41% of the homes required in its area over the past three years by the housing delivery test published two weeks ago.

It is one of seven councils currently sitting below the government’s 45% threshold which could see it lose some of its planning powers after next test results are released in November.

A spokesperson for Adur Council told Inside Housing that it had adopted a new local plan in 2017 and a planning inspector agreed at the time that a lack of available land restricted the council’s ability to meet its objectively assessed future housing needs.


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The council added: “Following the adoption of the plan, the council has approved two strategic housing sites in excess of 1,100 dwellings.

“Unfortunately, one of the sites was referred to the secretary of state last October and the council is still waiting to learn whether the application will be called in.”

The scheme in question, called New Monks Farm, would deliver 600 homes and has sat on Mr Brokenshire’s desk for more than 120 days after being approved by the council.

Applications referred to the government are supposed to be considered for calling in within 21 days.

A council spokesperson added: “It is just frustrating when the council is seeking to deliver much-needed new housing that we are prevented from doing so, waiting months for a decision from the secretary of state.”

The council said it had taken a proactive approach towards housebuilding and secured over £15m in government funding to pay for infrastructure to assist the delivery of its two strategic housing sites.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The case is still under consideration.

“While we endeavour to issue guidance within the timeframe suggested by the consultation direction process, that is sometimes not possible due to the complexity of cases and the need to ensure we have all the relevant information from all parties.”

Adur said it is taking “all necessary steps to increase housing delivery to avoid any future government sanctions”.

Other councils in line to be punished for a shortfall in housing delivery have pledged to accelerate development in their areas.

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