HOMES building across south Essex has become “a horror show” with many councils lagging way behind Government targets and still squabbling over local plans.

Basildon, Southend and Castle Point have been pinpointed as prime locations for developers to bring forward proposals by London-based consultancy Planning Insight in a newly published report.

The south Essex authorities are lagging behind the Government’s Housing Delivery Test meaning any rejected plans which go before an inquiry are weighted towards the applicant unless the developments adverse impacts "significantly and demonstrably" outweigh their benefits.

A Planning Inquiry spokesman said: "It's a horror show in south Essex with many councils woefully short of their targets."

In Basildon, where just two weeks ago councillors voted to scrap the local plan after eight years of preparation, the authority was found to have failed the Government’s Housing Delivery Test (HDT), with just 41 per cent of the homes required over a three-year period delivered.

Councillor Kerry Smith said: “We are set for a second vote next month to kill off the local plan while we are falling behind.

“Local plans aren’t meant to be popular things, but having no plan is crazy as it leaves the borough unprotected from developers.”

 

Councillor - Kerry Smith

Councillor - Kerry Smith

In Castle Point 49 per cent of the required homes were delivered – with a by-election on Thursday in which changes to the local plan is the main point of contention.

Planning Insight labelled Southend’s performance as “abysmal” with the authority sporting the lowest figure in the country at 31 per cent.

Councillor Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for planning, rejected the Government’s HDT methodology as unsustainable.

She said: “Southend is one of the most densely populated areas outside London, with limited space within which to deliver additional housing. Despite this the Borough has delivered upon its adopted housing targets for the period of 2001-2021, delivering on average, more than the 325 homes required each year.

 

Sustainable development - Carole Mulroney.

Sustainable development - Carole Mulroney.

“This target is a tested and sustainable housing target for Southend, taking account of relevant constraints and land availability, having been through the statutory plan making process, including public examination.

“In contrast the Government periodically publishes the results of a Housing Delivery Test (HDT) based on a standard methodology for calculating housing need. This figure has not been tested as part of the plan making process to determine whether it would be sustainable or environmentally acceptable to deliver this level of growth for a particular area.”