The Labour and Liberal Democrat Coalition have voted against reducing the housing targets in Pendle, from 298 to 159 units – almost half of what they are now!
The Conservatives on Pendle Council asked the Labour and Lib Dem Councillors to accept the much lower housing targets proposed in a Government White Paper. However, they voted it down.
Leader of the Conservatives in Pendle, Cllr Paul White, commented, “We put forward a sensible amendment to a motion the Coalition put down asking them to look seriously at reducing housing target. This motion was a-political and a genuine attempt to change our housing targets and reduce the pressure on Pendle’s green fields.”
He continued, “We’re not against house building in Pendle, and we need to do more to build affordable and quality homes in the Borough. However, these houses must be in the right places, taking into account local services – roads, schools, doctor’s surgeries – and the needs of our Towns. The Lib Dem and Labour Coalition didn’t agree.”
This vote comes after residents in Barnoldswick started a campaign calling on the Lib Dem and Labour Coalition to review the local plan, and reduce Pendle’s housing targets.
One of the lead campaigners against the recent Greenberfield Locks planning application, Ian Lyons, commented, “This is a slap in the face of the residents in Barnoldswick. The residents themselves have independently approached both Labour and the Liberal Democrats asking them to look over and change Pendle’s targets. Not only have they refused to look into it, they’ve now gone and voted against doing it outright.”
The amendment that was voted on was:
16.a)
This Council notes the recent announcement by the Housing Secretary, Sajid Javid MP to overhaul planning laws. This Council welcomes the fact that these overhauls will see the draft National Planning Policy Framework launched for consultation and welcomes the reforms around housing targets set out in the Housing White Paper as part of that.
This Council notes that the figures for Pendle would reduce by 45% from 298 to 159 units per year.
Furthermore this Council resolves, subject to the outcome of the consultation, to reflect these figures in the Core Strategy at the earliest possible point by overlaying an addendum to the Core Strategy accompanied by a justifying evidence base.