Target for new homes 'could be 8,000 to high' (From Ilkley Gazette)

Target for new homes 'could be 8,000 to high'

1:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Local news

A study undermining Government recommendations for 45,000 new homes in the Bradford District will form the basis of “frank and honest debate” over building on Ilkley’s green belt, say councillors.

A new independent report – called for by members of The Independents Group on Bradford Council – has revealed forecasts claiming 45,900 new homes are needed in Bradford over the next 15 years could be wide of the mark by as much as 8,000.

The study, commissioned by Bradford Council, shows the actual number of new homes needed by 2028 could be as low as 37,572. Its highest estimate is 43,603. The 45,000-home figure was at the heart of the draft Core Strategy of Bradford’s Local Development Framework.

The strategy proposed more than 3,000 new homes in the Wharfe Valley, including 1,300 in Ilkley, some on greenfield and green belt land.

Independents group leader Adrian Naylor (Ind, Craven), says evidence in the report will aid the debate on planning strategy but warned developers may try to “cherry-pick” profitable green belt sites.

“The bottom line is, this is constructive information with which we can have a frank debate about what Bradford needs and where it needs it.”

The report, by GVA Property Consultants and Edge Analytics, cost £17,000 and is expected to be made public next week.

Consultants said by 2028 they expected between 36,478 and 42,333 new households, meaning the district would need between 37,572 and 43,603 homes, assuming a three per cent building vacancy rate.

Bradford Council is currently drawing up its Local Plan, which will dictate how many houses need building in the district before 2028.