Reaction from Watford as mandatory housing targets to be 'abolished'

In a letter to MPs on Monday, seen by the PA news agency, Communities Secretary Michael Gove said the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill would be amended to abolish mandatory housebuilding targets.

Targets for local authorities to build thousands of new homes has prompted tower blocks in Watford and threatened green belt land in surrounding rural areas.

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The Government is thought to have backed down on targets after “well over 100 Tory MPs” threatened to rebel over planning reform.

The change would make the centrally determined target a “starting point”, with councils able to propose building fewer homes if they faced “genuine constraints” or would have to build at a density that would “significantly change the character” of their area.

Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, leaving 10 Downing Street (Image: PA)

Mr Gove said: “We have an urgent need in this country to build more homes so that everyone – whether they aspire to home ownership or not – can have a high-quality, affordable place to live. But our planning system is not working as it should.

“If we are to deliver the new homes this country needs, new development must have the support of local communities.”

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The Ascot Road scheme in Watford pictured earlier this year, including construction of a 24-storey tower (Image: Cortland)

Watford Liberal Democrat mayor Peter Taylor has repeatedly criticised the town’s “unrealistic” housing target, but has faced criticism over the amount of development approved under his administration.

Reacting to Mr Gove’s letter, Mr Taylor said he is “glad” a commitment has been made to scrap targets but added: “We wait to see what replaces them before we start celebrating.”

He also said: “With the removal of targets, and our newly adopted Local Plan, we should now have more power to say no when proposed developments are not right for us.”

Watford MP Dean Russell, left, and mayor Peter Taylor have often clashed over the town's housing targets (Image: UGC)

Conservative MP Dean Russell, who has previously argued the targets are a “starting point for negotiation”, said the bill “further strengthens” the say of communities, which he says he has been calling for.

Asif Khan, councillor and Watford Labour chairman, says the Government still needs to do more to ensure affordable homes are built.

With buildings of 28, 25 and 24 storeys already approved, Cllr Khan said the changes come “too little, too late” for Watford.

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