Record number of homes were built in Harborough in 2019-2020

Over 900 homes – a new record - were built across Harborough in 2019-2020.

A best-ever total of 906 properties were built throughout the district from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, new figures show.

“This is a significant boost towards meeting local housing needs,” said Harborough council.

In a bid to hit national housing targets the Government has told local authorities to provide a ‘five-year housing land supply’, pinpointing sites that can be developed.

The significant number of new homes built, as well as those with planning permission, have helped to achieve Harborough District Council’s ‘five-year housing land supply’ which now stands at 7.74 years,” said the council.

“Without a strong ‘five-year housing supply’ such as this, the district would be at much higher risk of housing developments being imposed upon locations outside the sites agreed in approved statutory planning policy documents such as the Harborough Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans.”

Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough council, said: “A huge amount of hard work has gone into achieving this figure.

“Having such a significant housing supply puts the Harborough district in a very strong position and gives us more control in helping make sure development happens in the most suitable locations.”

The Harborough Local Plan, adopted in 2019, sets a housing requirement of 557 properties per year.

The high level of new home completions in the last 12 months contributes to the area’s improvement from a historical shortfall in supply.

“It gives the local community more certainty that residential development is carefully planned and delivered in the right locations,” said the council.

“Evidence of any Covid-19 impacts on housing land supply will be regularly reviewed during the coming year and any changes reflected in the next housing land supply report.”