MP says budget must deliver on local housing

Montgomeryshire MP, Glyn Davies, is calling for the Chancellor to create a major boost in building new housing, and will be pressing Powys County Council to take action to bring forward new housing starts in the county.

As Britain waits with bated breath for the Government’s next phase of financial planning from Wednesday’s budget, Mr Davies (pictured) said that the past decade has seen housing supply slip behind demand in Montgomeryshire with the time right for major action.

“Not enough new housing is being built in Wales, and not enough new housing is being built in Montgomeryshire,” he said. “Since the Development Board for Rural Wales was wound up in the 1990s, the number of new housing starts has slowed dramatically. It’s time for action to give more of our young people the chance to own their own house. 

“On Budget Day this Wednesday, the Chancellor will propose a series of measures to boost new housing in England. We will see a boost to Council building, action to discourage big building companies from hoarding land, and pressure on English Councils to streamline planning processes. I support this, but we need to see dramatic measures in Montgomeryshire as well.

Recenty Powys announced plans to build 250 new houses and the county council has also overruled community councils in Guilsfield and Four Crosses to allow for new developments.

“I welcome the recent decision by Powys County Council to build some houses for rent, but we also need to see the release of more land for housebuilding,” added Mr Davies.

“Building more Council Houses will be a welcome start, but we will need more. The Council needs to release more permissions to build, and use all available powers to prevent land with permission being left undeveloped. At present, our young people cannot afford to buy their first house. We need a revolution in thinking to deliver the housing we need.”