Open letter from MIchael Lunn

Dear Cllr Millward and Cllr Tysh,

Re: Wealden Local Plan and projected planned housing numbers

I am writing this open letter to express my serious concerns regarding your leadership and the current status of the WeaIden Local Plan, especially in light of the recent communication from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner regarding housing targets for local authorities.

As you are aware, the Wealden local Plan Regulation 18 consultation outlined a housing provision strategy aimed at meeting the district's needs up to 2040. This consultation proposed the development of approximately 19,950 homes. However, recent government announcements have introduced mandatory housing targets that significantly increase expectations for local authorities. The new national target now stands at 370,000 homes per year, a substantial rise from the previous advisory target of 305,000 homes per annum.

Specifically, under the Green Party and Liberal Democrat coalition's Regulation 18 proposals, 955 homes per year were projected. However, additional rounds of site allocations were called for, and since then, the labour government has re-imposed the 5% buffer requirement, reinstating the original target of 1,186 homes under the former National Planning Policy Framework. Furthermore, this figure has now been increased to a base requirement of 1,397 homes per year as you rightly note in your press release yesterday. However, you failed to note the 5% buffer and the 20% penalty for not meeting housing needs (delivered sites are currently less than 85% of the base

target), WeaIden is now required to deliver 1,759 homes per annum-a staggering 84% increase over the Regulation 18 number.

looking at historical performance, WeaIden District has consistently failed to deliver sufficient homes, even in the absence of a local plan. During the 2023 District Elections, the Green Party pledged to halt overdevelopment and protect Wealden's landscape. It is now clear that, under the Green Party-led alliance, the housing target has surged by 105% compared to actual delivery levels, driven by the Labour government's policies and your leadership. It leads to my conclusion is that housing numbers will double under your leadership and you have claimed this is a win-win outcome for WeaIden. This is a tragedy for Wealden, you have sought to urbanise and build concrete over our rural landscape.

It is also highly disappointing that the Green and Liberal Democrat coalition continues to rely on the support of two Labour councillors, Cllr Manvell and Cllr Cox, given that the destructive housing targets come from their own national government. These targets threaten to overdevelop our district, eroding the very character and landscape that the residents of WeaIden cherish. By depending on Labour's support, the coalition is effectively endorsing policies that will irreversibly harm our local communities and environment whilst doing little to address the affordability issues of which we are all so familiar.

What is particularly concerning is the lack of communication from the WeaIden Cabinet since the Secretary of State's announcement. Despite the significant implications for our district, there has been silence from both the portfolio holder, Cllr Ian Tysh, and yourself as leader. Numerous councillors have sought clarity on how these new targets will impact the local plan, yet no updates have been provided to WeaIden Members. This failure to communicate is deeply troubling given the gravity of the situation and the widespread concerns among residents and councillors alike.