Watford and Three Rivers fail to meet latest housing targets

Results from the Government’s Housing Delivery Test show 874 homes were delivered in Watford between 2017 and 2020, which is just 48 per cent of its target set by central Government.

Watford's latest housing target is even higher; the town's mayor says the message is an "unrealistic" 800 homes need to be delivered a year.

The council, which has approved thousands of homes in recent years, but not necessarily delivered them yet, such as Riverwell, The Range, and in west Watford, is currently consulting with residents on its local plan, as it attempts to find locations across the town to meet its growing targets.

Birds eye CGI of the approved 1,214 homes scheme in St Albans Road, which includes a 28-storey tower. Credit: Berkeley Homes

Reacting to the latest delivery data, Mr Taylor said: "I think most residents in Watford will be staggered to learn that the Conservative government believes Watford should have been building twice as many new homes in the last few years. They are piling on the pressure in towns like Watford. So many councils that are close to the M25 are being told they must ‘build, build, build’ or face penalties from the government.

"We all know that new homes are needed but they must come with the services residents need so that they are sustainable and people living there have a good quality of life. Taking away our ability to decide our own future, and insisting we build at all costs, is simply unfair."

A 24-storey tower under construction in Ascot Road. Credit: Lynda Bullock, Watford Observer Camera Club

The Watford Riverwell development, delivering 1,000 homes, a retirement village, and primary school. Image also shows potential of a redeveloped Watford General Hospital.

Like Liberal Democrat-led Watford Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council has struggled to meet its targets too, with 54 per cent (872 homes) of its housing target delivered between 2017 and 2020.

Lib Dem council leader Sarah Nelmes said: "The only real way we can increase housing delivery is to adopt a new local plan releasing large sites from the green belt.

"Before the government moved the goalposts we consistently over delivered on our targets; between 2001 and 2018 we delivered 3,520 homes ahead of the target of 3,060.

"But the targets imposed on us now are just unrealistic. It is hardly surprising that the majority of local authorities failing to meet their targets are in the south of England. The government need to look at the distribution of housebuilding and deliver their promise to 'level up' cities and towns in the north."

Housing target data for all districts in Hertfordshire. Source: Government Housing Delivery Test

In an interview posted on Facebook with Chorleywood South and Maple Cross council candidate Philip Hearn, South West Hertfordshire Conservative MP Gagan Mohindra said: "Unfortunately Three Rivers District Council has consistently under delivered and refused planning applications.

"As a result, the government has introduced a buffer into the housing number."

He went on to say: "Because we (Three Rivers) are in such a poor position in terms of housing delivery, my hands are pretty much tied. All of my private conversations with the housing minister and secretary of state on the local plan have been met with 'your failure to deliver locally has given us very little leeway to actually help'".

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government said: "The Housing Delivery Test helps ensure housing is being delivered, and offers greater transparency about the level of housing delivery in an area.

"We will continue to support councils and we are encouraging them to seek support where they are facing challenges delivering homes.

"Our reforms to the country’s planning system will deliver the high-quality, sustainable homes communities need, putting local people at the heart of making sure new developments in their area are beautiful and well-designed."