New government housing targets welcomed by locals in Dereham

A consultation, external into the Government’s revised NPPF finished at the end of September.

The government intends to respond by the end of the year.

At a cabinet meeting last month, Breckland councilors said the new rules would put pressure on the authority to green light more housing developments across the district.

Paul Claussen, a Conservative member of the council, said: “This increased target is absolutely farcical and has not been thought through.

“There is no way in the world that you can look at all of the problems we face in housing – like the nutrient neutrality battleground – and think this is achievable.

“I haven’t got a clue what we can do to influence the thinking of this government.”

In Norfolk, the possible new targets could see Breckland Council’s housing target increase from 625 homes per year to 917 – an increase of 47%.

This is compared with an uplift of 60% in Great Yarmouth, 70% in North Norfolk, 88% in West Norfolk and 37% across the South Norfolk, Norwich and Broadland districts.

Breckland Council has now voted to pause the development of its local plan while it waits for more clarity from the government.