`Fall in projected housing need is a nail in the coffin for housing targets´

1 December 2010

Rural Campaigners have today (Tuesday) highlighted new Government figures in which the projected growth in new household numbers has been revised down from previous releases. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) claim the fall reinforces the need for a ‘plan, monitor, manage’ approach to planning for housing.

The latest projections from the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) anticipate 20,500 fewer households will be formed in England each year between 2008 and 2031 [1]. However, the number of households is still projected to grow by 232,000 each year.

Kate Houghton, Planning Officer for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, says: “This fall demonstrates the folly of basing targets for house building solely on projections that can change dramatically from one year to the next.

“The Government has made the right decision in pledging to abolish top down housing targets as it’s now clear these were far too simplistic, based on data that does not account for a whole range of complex issues that determine what houses will be needed, and where. These targets put valuable countryside and Green Belt land at risk from developments that may not even have been required.”

Increases to population remain the primary driver of household growth, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all new households. However, significant growth is also predicted to come from one person households which are set to increase by 159,000 per year, equating to two-thirds of the increase in households. By 2033, 19 per cent of the household population of England is projected to live alone, compared with 14 per cent in 2008.

Kate Houghton continued: “The projections suggest that in the future there will be more single and older person households. Our report ‘The Proximity Principle’ shows that living closer together encourages greater social interaction and this should play a crucial role in how our society plans for better neighbourhoods [2].

“We hope that ministers will consider the importance of housing density, mixed housing and easy access to services when drawing up new national planning guidance in the New Year. This will be crucial in delivering the sustainable and affordable housing the country needs.”

Notes:

1. Department Of Communities and Local Government, Household Projections, 2008 to 2033, England, 26 November 2010 http://bit.ly/hZWqfb

2. Proximity Principle: 'Housing and planning policy should be governed by the proximity principle: the idea that compact cities, towns and villages produce the best social, economic and environmental outcomes. Proximity brings people, shops, schools and healthcare closer together. It drives creativity and innovation. It means less distance to travel: people are more likely to walk or cycle, which in turn makes streets safer and more welcoming. There are environmental advantages, too, with less land and energy required. Before the development of modern transport, proximity was achieved automatically. But today, it requires careful planning and intervention by government.' http://www.cpre.org.uk/library/3524

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