The annual mandatory target for housing in the Maldon District could increase by 97% under Labour's changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, the "greatest uplift in the whole of Essex".

The planned National Planning Policy Framework amendments include the reintroduction of mandatory house building targets for local authorities, with the aim to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

The plan, announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, includes a proposed new method to calculate housing need in local authorities.

The housing target for Maldon under the proposed new method is set to increase to 544 homes a year from 276, reflecting a 97% increase from the current method of calculating targets.

This would mean the Maldon District would no longer fulfil the 5-year-supply of deliverable housing, with concerns this could lead to planning applications by appeal.

In documents detailing Maldon District Council's proposed response to Labour's National Planning Policy Framework Consultation, Maldon District Council "strongly objects" to this area of the plan, citing it as "unsustainable".

"As a District we have the smallest population and already have an infrastructure deficit to serve those people…

"Infrastructure is lagging behind the growth in our present approved local plan, and the bodies responsible for commissioning or delivery of those facilities are struggling to deliver due to lack of funds or borrowing capacity, complex internal approval processes or spending controls..

"All the while, our doctors' surgeries are operating at/ overcapacity, transport investment is behind growth, our education system is nearing capacity….

"How are we supposed to plan to meet that target when public service investment is unlikely to follow?"

A Council meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, September 12 at Maldon District Council Officers, where councillors will have the chance to discuss the response and the potential impacts the plan could have on the District.

Physical access is limited to ten persons in the Chamber, together with an overflow room providing accommodation for an additional 25 persons.