Thousands of houses to be built in Barnet

Barnet: Big news is coming for the housing scene in Barnet! The local government is planning to build over 4,000 new homes every year. This is part of a larger goal to create 1.5 million new homes across England by 2029.

Labour is really pushing for this, aiming for nearly 88,000 homes in London alone. They recently announced some extra funding and more planning officers to help speed things up. But there’s a catch—some experts think the government might still struggle to hit these ambitious targets, especially in busy urban areas.

The Ministry of Housing just released new targets, bumping the national goal to 370,000 homes a year. In Barnet, they’re looking at 4,057 homes annually. To make this happen, councils will need to rethink their greenbelt areas and find land that’s not as crucial for preserving nature.

Andrew Carter from the Centre for Cities is optimistic but warns that without major changes to planning rules, urban areas might still fall short. He believes a more straightforward zoning system could help clear the way for new builds.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that housing should be the top priority, even over environmental concerns. He’s determined to tackle the housing shortage, saying families need security. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook echoed this, urging local authorities to step up and meet these new targets.

More guidance on assessing greenbelt land is expected soon, and a new Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to cut through the red tape. It’s a busy time for Barnet, and the community is watching closely to see how these plans unfold.