New government proposals on housing allocations may provide relief for East Hampshire District Council.

The authority, currently conducting a public consultation on the draft version of its new Local Plan, is struggling to squeeze 1,200 homes into the 43 per cent of the district which is outside the South Downs National Park. Protest groups oppose them going to Chawton Park Farm and Medstead.

But a Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill announced last week would treat housing targets as a starting point rather than a fixed figure, with some flexibility for councils allowed according to their individual circumstances.

It was welcomed by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, who said: “I raised the specific case of East Hampshire in parliament, outlining the challenge of meeting housing targets across a district that is bisected by the South Downs National Park. 

“With these changes, local numbers will still have to reflect local need for housing, but can also take into account constraints, like – in our case – the national park covering a significant part of the area.”

Mr Hinds highlighted the twin problems that could occur over time, with pressure to build houses at the park’s borders – such as at Alton and Medstead – while housing inside the park would become increasingly costly relative to earnings. Figures from the Office for National Statistics already show a disparity in house prices between inside and outside the national park.

The new proposals also include councils being given power to promote brownfield development, with the government launching a review into how such sites are used.

Alongside measures in the Bill to tackle slow building by developers, the government will also consider financial penalties for companies failing to build houses despite having planning approval, and giving councils powers to refuse further permission in their area.

East Hampshire District Council officers joined Mr Hinds in a meeting with housing and planning minister Lucy Frazer last week to discuss the new policy approach overall.

Mr Hinds added: “I was pleased of the opportunity to meet the minister to discuss the government’s housing reforms. I look forward to seeing more detail on the forthcoming consultation and how these reforms can help us better deliver the homes we need.”