The council looks set to oppose new housing targets which would see the number of homes in the district increase by 124 per cent a year. 

Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet will be discussing its response to the government's consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) at its meeting tonight (Tuesday, September 10). 

The NPPF is a key document for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

It oversees planning laws that guide development across England. The planned changes include the reintroduction of housing targets and a new method for calculating them.

For the Wyre Forest district, the current annual housing need figure agreed in the Local Plan 2022 is for 276 houses.

Under the proposed new standard method, as calculated by the government, this figure rises to 617 houses per year, which is an increase of 341 properties.

The changes would also look to introduce more strategic planning across local authority boundaries.

The proposals state that the new targets will mean councils must "boost housebuilding in areas most in need, helping more people buy their own homes, removing the largest barriers to economic growth, and getting Britain building again". 

The government said the overhaul of the planning system is aimed at fixing the foundations and growing the economy. 

The council said it welcomes strategic plans but wants to have a direct say in their production.

There is concern that the proposed changes would have an adverse impact on Wyre Forest as neighbouring authorities are not meeting their housing needs. 

Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for economic regeneration, planning and the green agenda, said: "We welcome the opportunity to respond to this comprehensive consultation on the NPPF. While we agree with some of the proposed changes, we are planning to raise serious concerns about some of the suggested changes to the NPPF in our consultation feedback.

"In particular we are opposing the way housing needs would be calculated. This would have significant implications for the district.  We would not be able to accommodate such a jump in housing numbers on available brownfield land and make sure it is deliverable and viable.

"The government has made it clear that local authorities are expected to have an up-to-date Local Plan, something not all councils do. Our current Local Plan was adopted in 2022, which means we are well placed for now."

The Cabinet meeting starts at 6pm and will be webcast live.

A recording of the meeting will also be made available on the Council’s website at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/streaming