Housebuilding in theNorth-east needs to climb by more than 50% a year and demolitions must also increase, according to the draft regional spatial strategy published last week.

The document, which outlines policy proposals to influence and shape decisions in the area for the next 15 to 20 years, suggests gross housebuilding needs to grow from 6500 homes a year to 10,000 by 2011.

It also suggests “increasing demolition and replacement of existing dwellings, especially in areas of housing market failure or poor housing conditions”.

The regional housing strategy has already identified 210,000 properties, out of the North-east’s 1.1 million dwellings, as being at risk of low demand and abandonment.

Malcolm Bowes, assistant director for regional development for the North-east assembly, which produced the draft strategy, said it had identified key areas to help regenerate the area.

We need to demolish more houses than in the past

Malcolm Bowes, North-east assembly

He said: “We need to be demolishing more houses than in the past. Clearly we want to regenerate the run-down areas, particularly in the main conurbations at the heart of the two city regions. If you look at the rate we have been renewing the stock, it has not been high enough.

“If you look at the quality and type and location, it is not in the right place and it is poor quality in some parts of the region. You cannot underestimate the task.”

The draft says about an extra 110,000 homes will be needed by 2021 to match an expected 32,000 growth in the region’s population.

Source

Housing Today