THE idea that building more new homes in Maldon will make them more affordable for local people is behind government plans to more than double the number each year, councillors heard today (Thursday, 17 September).

Speaking to Maldon District Council's Strategy and Resources Committee, the council's lead specialist for place, Matt Leigh, said: "One of the big problems is the adjustment to the market calculation - where it's about house prices being quite expensive compared to salaries in the district.

"One of the government's assumptions appears to be that if you build lots more houses it will push the prices down and local people will be able to afford them.

"That's how we've been really badly stung by this."

The proposals put forward by the Government mean that Maldon district would need to increase the minimum number of new homes built each year by a massive 102 per cent – from 308 to 623. Sanctions for falling below the new target could mean the council effectively losing control over where many new homes are built.

The council has been asked to provide a response to set questions on the plans by 31 October and this afternoon's meeting debated the answers already put together by council officers. It was decided that leader designate, Conservative Councillor Elaine Bamford, and council directors will write a letter to go with the responses in an attempt to make clear the consequences of the proposals for the district.

No other district or borough in the county has been affected by a percentage rise in targets for new homes as large as that proposed for Maldon – with some seeing a reduction under the plans.

"Economically illiterate"

Chairing the meeting, Independent Councillor Christopher Swain said: ""If you get an absurd outcome then there's generally something wrong with it. The earnings are based on where people earn them. Large numbers of people are left out – self-employed people and those on casual earnings. The ratio given does not give affordability.

"How do we provide housing for those people in the bottom 10 per cent of income? This doesn't address it at all.

"This is simply economically illiterate."

The government proposals cover planning issues including:

• the standard method for assessing housing numbers in strategic plans

• the designation of different 'zones' for areas to indicate where most new housing should be allowed

• delivering first homes

• supporting small and medium-sized developers

• extension of the Permission in Principle consent regime

• the abolition of Section 106 agreements, which provide funding from developers for infrastructure. These would be replaced by a new levy.

• some changes to rules on affordable homes.

"Simply undeliverable"

Deputy council leader, Conservative Councillor Penny Channer, raised concerns that Maldon's high proportion of elderly and vulnerable residents would not be well served by the plans.

She added: "With all due respect to the Government, this is going to cause a huge problem for a district like ours.

"It is simply undeliverable."

The proposals come in the context of the Government's expected White Paper this autumn on a huge national restructure of local government, which could see Maldon District Council abolished and replaced by a unitary authority taking in two or more other districts or boroughs in the county.