CHANGES to the planning system could see the number of homes built each year in Westmorland and Furness nearly double.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has launched a consultation on proposed reform of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system.

The outcome of the proposed changes result in revised house building targets for each local authority with Westmorland and Furness Council targeted with building 1,430 homes per year.

In the area managed by the new council there was an average of 773 homes built each year between 2020/2021 and 2022/2023. Under the current system the authority is targeted with delivering 227 homes per year.

All councils in England are to be given new, mandatory housing targets to pave the way to deliver 1.5 million more homes, the government said.

According to the government the new targets will mean councils must boost housebuilding in areas most in need.

A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to supporting more housing to meet all needs so that local families can build a life here, new people can be attracted to relocate and older residents and those with disabilities are able to live as independently as possible whilst receiving the support they need.

“We support high quality housing that is affordable, well designed and energy efficient and accompanied by appropriate infrastructure to support communities.”

The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has written to every council leader and chief executive in England to state there is not just a ‘professional responsibility’ but a ‘moral obligation’ to see more homes built.

The letter added she will not hesitate to use her powers of intervention should it be necessary including taking over an authority’s plan making directly.

Ms Rayner said: “Our decisive reforms to the planning system correct the errors of the past and set us on our way to tackling the housing crisis, delivering 1.5 million homes for those who really need them.

“And something I am personally proud of, our new flexibilities for councils will boost the number of social and affordable homes, and give working families a better route to a secure home.”

Reforms announced by the government will make explicit that the default answer to brownfield development should be ‘yes’ and promote homebuilding at greater densities in urban centres.

Land released in the Green Belt will be subject to the government’s ‘golden rules’, which make clear that development should deliver 50% affordable homes, increase access to green spaces and put the necessary infrastructure is in place, such as schools and GP surgeries.

A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council added: “New housing and employment opportunities to encourage the young to stay and to attract young families and skilled people to build their lives here are crucial to the future economic and social sustainability of Westmorland and Furness.

“For this reason these issues, and the national policies which guide them, will be at the heart of our first Local Plan.

“Early consultation on the issues affecting the plan is happening now. The Local Plan consultation closes on 9th September so there is still plenty of time for people to give us their views.”