DDC Concerned at ‘Unrealistic’ Government Algorithm

Dover District Council has expressed concern at proposed planning reforms and an ‘unrealistic’ Government algorithm that would almost triple the number of new homes to be built in the district. 

With a strong supply of major housing sites, Dover District Council can demonstrate 6.16 years worth of housing supply, measured against the government’s housing land supply calculation.  This is based on the current target of building 596 new homes per annum or 3,192 homes over the five-year period from 2020 to 2025.

However, under a new Government algorithm being proposed as part of reforms to the planning system, the housing target for the Dover district would be 1,279 new homes per annum, an increase of 115%.

In 2019/2020, 442 new homes were delivered in the district.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, cabinet member for planning, said: “The government’s proposed new algorithm is completely unrealistic and doesn’t take account of local factors or the capacity of the market to actually deliver.  Not to mention the effects on local infrastructure.

“We’re also concerned that the proposed planning reforms reduce opportunities for local communities to have their say on developments in areas designated for growth.”

Dover District Council is currently producing a new Local Plan for the period from 2020 to 2040.  A first round of public consultation on the draft Local Plan will start early in 2021.

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