Yinnon Ezra: The issues that surround housing and planning

You’re probably wondering where I am going with this – or maybe it’s all a little too vague?

But it’s about the need for new housing and how the current local councils in and around where we live are trying to cope.

They have both a government that is absolutely committed to building new houses, a planning system that is changing and lots of locals who are happy for new homes to be built but not next to them.

It’s all a bit Alice in Wonderland. Not sure who and what is doing what.

In a recent possible development, a report to the planning committee outlines why a development should happen and explains that a number of agencies are fine with it.

This is where it gets a little strange – there are comments from a number of so-called consultees – the highways people say it's fine.

Pardon – it’s a small cul-de-sac where two vehicles just about pass each other.

The drainage and sewage people say it’s ok - hang on, recently the tankers are taking away huge amounts of sewage/groundwater 24 hours a day, flood warnings in the area are as regular as the rain.

As for the ecology – I sometimes wonder if the comments in the report are about the area in question or imported from somewhere else.

Finally, the jargon in the planning reports is enough to question if we all live in the same country.

We also have the reorganisation of local government where new unitary councils are going to be governing us in a couple of years.

They will no doubt retain much from the existing councils but given their new “size” may want to look again where best they could build houses.

Maybe a new town somewhere could be the right answer?

Why, why are the planners NOT stopping to think more creatively rather than pressing on with vexing developments in probably the wrong places in so many rural villages?

I am NOT cynical!

But when one of our local councils published their local plan and distributed their so-called “housing targets” to be met from developments in a range of small villages – I wondered if this could be a little political.

“Let’s anger the comfortable villages” and point the finger at the government?

I am sure these thoughts were never in their minds?

A plea to the planners – please recognise the NEW reality – your employers, the council, are going to change.

There will be many new councillors and officials with hopefully innovative ideas about housing development.

Also, local parish and town councils are NOT blind to the need for affordable housing and with their neighbourhood development plans (which have taken them months and extensive consultation to complete) are keen to help.

Some of these plans suggest areas that could be developed – saving the local council much work.

So please hold on for a little while and all will be well.

Finally, and this is where my confusion comes from – given the prospect of all this change, why are local councils so keen on pushing so many ill-thought-out schemes onto local communities NOW?

Maybe all the uncertainty creates an opportunity for landowners to push stuff through while things are a little fluid?

But again, I am not the cynical type.

By Yinnon Ezra