Watford fails to meet high housing targets set by government

For the second year running, Watford Council has failed to build enough homes.

In 2018-19 the target was increased from 313 to 798 new homes for Watford’s one of the smallest local authorities of only 8 square miles.

In the years 2020 and 2021, 672 homes were completed, just 48% of the housing target set by the national government’s Housing Delivery Test (HDT).

Despite a reduced target over the last 2 years due to the pandemic, according to the government, Watford should have built twice as many new homes over the last 3 years (2018-2021).

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said “I have said it before and I will say it again – the housing target imposed on Watford is far too high and needs to be cut.

“The government’s arbitrary algorithm for creating housing targets for local authorities takes no account of the land space available to councils. Therefore, in built-up areas like Watford we see taller developments. They are the inevitable consequence of these unrealistic targets and national planning rules.

“I will continue to press the government to cut Watford’s housing targets. Local people must be given greater powers on planning and development so that we can decide what is best for Watford.”

Sign the petition calling for a cut to Watford’s housing targets here.