Braintree Council could build 5,070 houses in five years

Braintree Council has published its five-year housing land supply, which shows the authority can meet government targets for housing.

Developers are more likely to get the go-ahead for homes on land not officially earmarked for development if a council can not show there is enough land supply.  

Between 2023 and 2028, the target for new homes to be built across the Braintree district is 4,367 in total.

That breaks down to an average of 873 homes a year.

Working - A photo of a builder working on a new build home (Image: Radar)

Braintree Council says 5,070 homes are due to be completed in the five-year period from 2023-2028.

That means the council is on course to beat the five year target of 4,367 by 703 homes.

The figure includes sites which already have full planning permission along with those with outline planning permission which are expected to be move forward in the next five years.

Council planning boss Gabrielle Spray is pleased that targets have been hit.

Housing - A row of homes in East Street, Braintree (Image: Braintree Council)

She said: “The council being able to deliver its five-year land supply will be welcome news to many communities, which will support us in helping protect towns and villages across the district which have been subject to unplanned, speculative development.

“We’ll continue to ensure we can meet the demand for housing sustainably while protecting those towns and villages where development should not be considered.”

With the increasing demand for new houses, the council says it has worked to secure funding to ensure local services and infrastructure are also built alongside affordable housing.

Last year £200,000 was committed to create a new tennis court at Courtauld Sports Ground, in Halstead, and £1million was spent on artificial grass pitches in Braintree and Witham.

A multi-use games area was also installed at Shalford village hall.