Brighton & Hove City Councillor Hits Back At Government Housing Reforms

A Councillor for East Brighton has expressed concerns about the Government’s proposed planning reforms, which she fears could prioritise private developers rather than local people.

Councillor Gill Williams says she welcomes “any initiative” to try and get the 9,000 people off Brighton’s housing waiting list, but is concerned about the consequences of relaxing planning rules.

It comes just weeks after Brighton and Kemptown’s MP told More Radio the proposed changes could mean ‘no power for local people’ to ensure it is the type of housing they need.

The Government’s New White Paper on housing - Planning for the Future - means local authorities are given compulsory targets and 'zones' where developments are automatically green-lighted.

Under the Government’s New Standard Method, Brighton and Hove City Council could be required to build 1,520 homes a year. Currently, it’s required to build 660 and has not met that target - delivering an average of 392 in the last three years, according to a study by Litchfields.

The new proposed algorithm, which has received criticism from MPs and councillors nationwide, doesn’t consider the type of housing that is needed in an area.

Cllr Williams told More Radio:

"We have 9,000 people on the waiting list so any initiative is welcome, the problem I am having is with the relaxation of planning laws.

"We will be having more planning applications from private developers who sadly build very expensive flats and apartments, which the local people can’t afford to live in.

"So it doesn’t actually help to provide affordable homes in our area... I don’t believe this is going to help us at all.

"With planning laws being relaxed even further some of the issues we can object to are being taken away from us, and private developers are going to take full advantage of this."

According to Gill, the local authority would really benefit from devolved powers from central Government to control rent and the number of second homeowners in the city.

She added:

"We have too many luxury apartments.

"We have 75% luxury apartments at the marina which are not lived in by local people, and we don’t need any more of that."

Cllr Williams said the area needs “affordable family homes” because key-workers are being "forced out of the city” and she is encouraging the local community to lobby Government so the houses that are delivered benefit local people.

Conservative backbenchers have already voiced concerns that the new formula predominately targets conservative-held regions, which they argue are being penalised under the Prime Minister's plans to build more homes.

Disgruntled Tory rebels have also reportedly accused the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick of “concreting out, not levelling up” the North of England in a Whatsapp group behind the rebellion.

The consultation for the proposed reforms runs until 29 October.