Council Says No to Any Increase to Current House Building Levels in Hampshire

Currently, approximately 6,700 houses are being built a year in Hampshire. This is a little over the number required (6030 pa) by regional planning guidance, but is making up for lower levels of housing completions earlier in the period.

Planners have been told by SEERA officers to test rates of housing supply at current guidance levels - plus 6%, 20% and 40% over the next 20 years, to estimate requirements over population and economice growth.

Government has stipulated that 60% of all new housing should be accommodated on 'previously developed' land and the remaining 40% on 'greenfield' sites.

It is estimated that the current shortfall in infrastructure provision will need Government investment in roads, rail, schools, hospitals and utilities of £4 billion to bring it up to an acceptable level to support current requirements.

Government Ministers have declared that funding for infrastrucuture should be obtained from developers rather than central funds.