Warrington could see a rise to 1064 homes yearly, up from 816, due to new planning rules. The council aims for a new Local Plan by 2028.
The plan aims for 14,688 new homes by 2039, about 816 homes yearly since 2021. However, this number might reach 1,064 per year. The council will discuss new planning rules next Monday, and these rules could affect Warrington’s plans.
The government has transitional arrangements for councils like Warrington. This applies to councils that recently adopted a Local Plan. The plan’s housing target is safe for five years, starting from when the plan was adopted.
The council has time to plan for new rules. However, Warrington needs 1,064 homes yearly by a new method. This is more than the current plan’s 816 homes.
The council wants to update its Local Plan, and they informed the Housing Ministry about this. The new plan should be ready by December 2028, when the current Local Plan will be five years old. The council says this is an update, but it might look different based on new rules coming.
Councils must keep their Local Plans up to date, and government policy requires a review of the plans. Furthermore, new rules will impact Local Plans nationwide. The council aims to have a new plan by 2028, ensuring sustainable planning for more housing. They want proper transport and support.
The government has a new Local Plan system under the Levelling Up Act of 2023. Public input and reviews will still be needed. The current Local Plan has a housing target, and the new Local Plan must address revised housing figures, starting with 1,064 homes per year.
This number needs testing during the Local Plan process. A new plan must cover 15 years going forward, extending beyond 2039. Will green belt land be used for extra housing after 2028? People are asking this question.
The council must assess the town’s capacity, including existing areas and non-green belt sites. They must consider this before using green belt land, and this assessment will be part of updating the Local Plan. Working with partners is very important, and they want to redevelop brownfield sites, but they need infrastructure to support more houses.