Sir Keir Starmer’s house-building blitz is pointless because most new homes will go to migrants, declare Tories
SIR Keir Starmer’s house-building blitz is pointless because most new homes will go to migrants, the Tories declared yesterday.
His project was futile as he could not control foreign arrivals, according to Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake.
The PM has unveiled huge construction targets — with London boroughs Richmond upon Thames, Bromley and Kensington being told to increase house-building rates by more than 1,000 per cent.
But Mr Hollinrake fumed: “Due to loosening restrictions on visa requirements, the majority of homes they deliver will be for people coming into this country rather than British citizens.”
Around 100 councils will have to more than double housebuilding with over a dozen having to increase building fivefold on current rates.
On a visit to a construction site in Cambridgeshire yesterday, Sir Keir declared that the dream of home ownership must be a “top priority”, above nature and the environment.
The PM said: “For years, we have had not enough houses being built.
“That means that individuals and families don’t have the security that they want.
“We are determined to break through that, to do what’s necessary.
“Of course we want to get the balance right with nature and the environment, but if it comes to a human being wanting to have a house for them and their family, that has to be the top priority.”
The PM will give town halls just three months to form a blueprint to meet the new targets.
Planners have been told to prioritise brownfield sites first for development, followed by ugly green land designated as “grey field”.
Local authorities that don’t have enough space will then be ordered to build on an area of greenbelt land larger than Surrey.
All new-builds will be required to follow “golden rules”, ensuring they come alongside necessary infrastructure, including nurseries, GP surgeries and transport.
And Nimby town hall chiefs who frequently block new homes will see proposals bypass their desks and be sent to Whitehall for approval.