I think Mr Sinclair is well aware that South Holland is a long way from the Hong Kong I lived in, in the late 70s where our blocks of flats had the only grassed areas in Kowloon Tong.
A growing population does require feeding, but it also requires decent and affordable housing.
South Holland’s population has increased from just over 70,000 to over 90,000 in the 20 years I’ve been a district councillor. Along with our economy and the jobs this brings, our population will also continue to grow.
We have a Joint Local Plan that took six years and hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money to produce. This plan is based on very detailed evidence and according to government set planning policy.
We also have a figure based on government guidance for the number of houses to be built each year and a total to be built by 2036 – 445 and 11,125 respectively. Nationally, the government has set a delivery target of 300,000 houses a year. So what’s changed Mr Sinclair asks.
The government, national planning policy, our population, the economy, the housing shortage, and most importantly, the number of young people who can’t get a decent, affordable home to live in, let alone buy – that’s what has changed Mr Sinclair.
Our local MP is aware of his own government’s planning and housing policies. He is also aware of their annual housing delivery target of 300,000 and the requirement placed on every council to contribute towards meeting this.
His support for this council’s continuing efforts to do so, by provide much needed housing for our own young people, would be welcomed.
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones
Spalding Wygate Ward
Portfolio Holder for Place
Chairman Planning Committee
