The Government has announced new housing targets in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in order to tackle the housing crisis in the UK. The announcement comes following Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes in the next five years. The Government confirmed that brownfield land must be the “first port of call” for development.
The housing crisis is impacting many people on the Wirral, with the numbers of people in temporary accommodation in the borough doubling since 2021 and homelessness rising. Temporary accommodation now costs Wirral Council a projected £1.6m a year, up from £406,418 in 2019.
Matthew Patrick, MP for Wirral West, said that this is “unsustainable” and that “urgent action” was needed to ensure everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.
In the House of Commons, Matthew highlighted to the Housing Minister the thousands on waiting lists for housing on the Wirral, and welcomed the Government’s brownfield first approach. He also asked the Minister to confirm the support Wirral Council would get from the Government to ensure that housing was built in the right places.
Following the Government’s statement in the Commons, Matthew said:
“The housing crisis is impacting many people on the Wirral, with many forced to move away to get onto the property ladder. Urgent action is needed so children can grow up and stay in our area, and families can find affordable places to live.
“People on the Wirral have been clear that brownfield first is their preference, alongside the desperately-needed regeneration of Wallasey and Birkenhead. I agree and I have taken action on this to deliver the change Wirral voted for at the election. I want to see regeneration and development in areas that need it, and to protect our green spaces.
“I submitted representations to the NPPF consultation which addressed the need to unlock viable building on brownfield sites, so that we can protect the greenbelt which contributes so much to our lives and our environment here in Wirral West.
“I also highlighted the risk of speculative planning applications. Developers should not be allowed to refuse to build on brownfield land and speculate on our beautiful countryside while our community is left with empty industrial buildings, shuttered shops, and poor-quality housing.
“I will continue working with Wirral Council and with other MPs to ensure that affordable, decent homes are built in the right places and that the council has the right support to deliver for local people.”