Watford has again failed to meet its housing targets - and the Mayor says the town needs "greater powers" on planning and devlopment so "we can decide what is best".
The town met just 48 per cent of the target set by the government’s Housing Delivery Test (HDT) for the last three years combined.
A total of 2,048 homes were required between 2018 and 2021, although only 980 were delivered.
Despite 416 houses being delivered in 2020-2021 as opposed to just 266 the previous year, Watford Borough Council says the town “continues to suffer from the huge hike in the target imposed by central government in 2018”.
It added that failing the HDT means that Watford continues to have presumption in favour of sustainable development imposed by the government, “taking away vital powers to reject inappropriate planning applications”.
Conservative Watford MP Dean Russell said the council had the opportunity to officially raise their concerns stated in their Local Plan when it was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
“Their submission made no mention of these,” he added.
However, Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “The government's own guidance states that to challenge housing targets an area must be trying to protect green belt or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This does not apply to Watford, which has been confirmed by independent legal advice.”
He added: “I have said it before and I will say it again – the housing target imposed on Watford is far too high and needs to be cut.
“The government’s arbitrary algorithm for creating housing targets for local authorities takes no account of the land space available to councils.
“Therefore, in built up areas like Watford we see taller developments. They are the inevitable consequence of these unrealistic targets and national planning rules.
“I will continue to press the government to cut Watford’s housing targets. Local people must be given greater powers on planning and development so that we can decide what is best for Watford.”
Mr Russell said: “As confirmed publicly on multiple occasions, including when I raised concerns around tall towers to the Secretary of State and Housing Minister in Parliament, the standard method for calculating local housing need is only the starting point in the process of planning for new homes. Local authorities still need to consider local constraints before determining their housing requirement.”
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