Redditch council leader supportive of government's plans to build more new houses in the area

The government plans to build 1.5 million new homes in the next five years

The Labour government plan to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029
Author: Elliot Burrow, Phil Wilkinson Jones (Local Democracy Reporting Service) Published 8th Aug 2024

The government's plans to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029, would see an increase in housing targets in Worcestershire.

Worcester City Council would be expected to build 584 homes a year, while Redditch Borough Council could see there target triple in size under the proposals.

Redditch's labour council leader Joe Baker says there hasn't been enough houses built to cope with the demand in recent years, and this would help tackle that.

"I think Labour's plan of building affordable and social housing is going to meet the need that's at the moment for housing," he said.

"Council house building hasn't really replaced the stock that's needed now with families having children and growing up, as they're leaving home and need somewhere to live.

"Here in Redditch at the moment we've got over 3,000 people that are inadequately homed, and I think what Labour have done is looked at the need of housing and have said each council now has to try and address that issue."

Conservative MP for West Worcestershire Dame Harriett Baldwin has voiced her concerns at the plans, warning that new higher housing targets could result in extra pressure for infrastructure across the county.

She said that the plans had been set, "without any clear plan on how or where they will be delivered."

Labour’s proposed policy reforms have gone out to consultation.

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