Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, welcomes assurances from the Government that the duty to co-operate and accommodate housing overspill – which would have forced thousands of additional homes onto Bosworth – will be abolished in upcoming legislation.
The overspill requirement meant neighbouring districts would be required to accommodate additional housebuilding when a city is unable to meet targets.
This was due to be the case for Hinckley and Bosworth as Leicester previously announced they were unable to accommodate 18,700 homes of their target to build nearly 39,400 between 2020 and 2036.
In their 2019 General Election manifestos both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrat parties pledged to build 300,00 new homes per year across the nation, with Labour not setting a target. In 2021 the Leader of the Lib Dems, Sir Ed Davey, said “our local authorities do want more houses” as they increased the target to 380,000 homes per year.
The local MP welcomes the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill being brought forward which in simple terms, means that Hinckley and Bosworth will not be under the same pressure to accommodate thousands of homes which should have been built in Leicester. The area is already left vulnerable due to the fact that Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have not produced an up-to-date Local Plan, which leaves the community open to houses being built in places where the community don’t want them.
A Local Plan decides the most suitable sites for housing in a district and allows residents to have their say on housing and infrastructure in their area. The Plan is being worked on by the Lib Dem-run Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said “I welcome the Government’s commitment to change the onerous duty to co-operate. Our area is already under pressure, due to not having an up-to-date Local Plan, from unwanted developments in parts of Bosworth where infrastructure is already strained. This is a welcome step in the right direction.
“However, an updated Local Plan has been delayed time and time again. It was originally due 2020/21, we were then advised 2023 and now told it’s likely to be August 2025. This is simply not good enough.
“What I believe is simple: we need the right homes in the right places, with the right infrastructure and protections for our heritage and environment. There is undoubtedly a need for more housing in the UK, but it’s got to be done in the right way. We all want to see our sons and daughters own their own home and grandma and grandpa to have the right kind of house to downsize to.
“Many areas in our community, like Market Bosworth, Markfield, Stoke Golding and Burbage, are all working tirelessly to put in place Neighbourhood plans, which go some way to providing additional protections while delivering housing where local people want it. This is something I have led a debate on in Parliament, and will continue to work with the Government for stronger protections for our community.”
Lucy Frazer MP, Planning Minister, said: “The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill recognises that the duty to co-operate is too stringent a test.
“The duty will be abolished and replaced by more flexible policy requirements.”
