Recent editions have reported on the increase in the number of new homes given planning permission in Watford.

The figure of 2,221 homes given permission in twelve months between November 2017 and October 2018 was highlighted.

But we have to remember that giving planning permission is not the end of the story. Rather it is half way through the story.

Because the current government requirement is that councils deliver housing. Not just give planning permission. So the number that really matters is the number of new homes completed each year.

Even though a local council’s powers to deliver are limited and other matters such as the cost of borrowing money and a suitable building workforce are beyond a council’s control .

In the year 2018/19 (the year about to end) the housing completion figures for Watford, for the first nine months of the year, total 180 homes. Say 240 for the whole year. With a minimum target set by government of 750.

The most number of new homes completed in the borough since 2000 in one year has been 660.

These figures show, I suggest, that the grant of planning permission does not of itself mean that the new homes will be built. For the council to deliver 750 new homes each year is an enormous challenge. The Government has made it very clear that failure to deliver these minimum numbers will result in the Government stepping in and taking control of planning in the borough.

Putting up signs at Hunton Bridge, Bushey Arches and on the M1 link road saying ‘Town full up; live somewhere else’ will not work. What will work, if four other councils really work together with Watford, will be a joint strategic plan which looks at the western half of the county and where best to deliver new homes over this half of Hertfordshire. My fear is that there is no commitment to this joint strategic plan outside of Watford, despite appearances to the contrary, and it will remain as every council for itself. Watford being the second smallest council in England in terms of land area will, to repeat myself, face an enormous challenge.

Roger Pidgeon

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