Concerns about unmet housing need are far from new. In London, where the proposed new London Plan is anticipated to result in an annualised shortfall of at least 14,000 homes, the cost of under-provision is well known. But London is not alone and the issue is accelerating elsewhere. In the North and Midlands, infrastructure changes including HS2 and the various initiatives contained within the Northern Powerhouse are set to bring about increased demand. And, while housing need in the South East will remain, this could be exacerbated as counter-urbanisation and outwards migration from London to all comers of the country takes hold as a result of COVID-19 and the move towards remote working. As the planning system undergoes substantial change, housing need is a constant challenge that all local authorities face. So it is perhaps unsurprising some have commented that the proposed revisions to the standard method of assessing housing need - which were published for consultation in August - will bring about substantial increases in the rural shires and suburbs relative to the urban North and Midlands. Figures from the House of Commons library suggest that rural and suburban Surrey will see an increase of 45,000 homes while Manchester - the ultimate destination of HS2 and one of the remaining strongholds of the Red Wall -will see a reduction of 14,000.
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