Senior councillors set to approve consultation on new housing target for Leeds

Senior councillors in Leeds will be asked to approve carrying out public consultation on a revised housing target for the city at a meeting next week.

The executive board at Civic Hall on Wednesday 7 February will be asked to endorse six weeks of consultation on a lower housing target as part of a selective review of the city’s Core Strategy.

The Core Strategy which was endorsed by the government and adopted in November 2014 included a housing target for Leeds to meet a future housing need of 70,000 new homes by 2028.

A review of the housing aspect of the strategy to take into account the latest figures and new government guidelines has resulted in a revised figure being recommended of 51,952 new homes by 2033. The additional five-year delivery period will also offer further flexibility to respond to levels of housing need in the city over time.

This revised figure has been agreed and put forward for public consultation by the council’s cross-party development plan panel.

Subject to executive board approval the public consultation will take place from February 9 to March 23 with the results and feedback received being put to the government for its consideration.

Running alongside the Core Strategy review, the council is currently carrying out public consultation on proposals to protect 33 housing sites in green belt areas of the city from being developed for new housing. To take part go to www.leeds.gov.uk/yourcity. Response forms are also available at all council-managed libraries and one stop centres.

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said:

“This revised housing figure for the city is now ready to go out for the people of Leeds to consider after being discussed at length as we said we would do as part of the Core Strategy review.

“It takes into account the latest information and government guidelines on future housing need, so will help give Leeds a clear plan-led approach guiding all future development, with the right houses being built in the places where they are needed.

“The consultation on protecting our green belt areas from unnecessary development is also hugely important so I’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved in that and tell us what they think.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Roger Boyde

Leeds City Council communications,

Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 9164