1. Engage with Higher Authorities
- Negotiation with Central Government: EHDC can engage in discussions with central government departments, such as the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), to negotiate more realistic housing targets based on local circumstances and constraints.
- Seek Adjustments: They can formally request adjustments to the housing targets, providing evidence of why the current targets are unrealistic or unsustainable.
2. Provide Evidence-Based Justifications
- Housing Needs Assessment: Conduct a thorough local housing needs assessment to demonstrate the actual housing needs and how they differ from the imposed targets.
- Capacity Studies: Provide detailed studies on local infrastructure capacity, environmental constraints, and land availability to support the argument that the targets are unachievable or detrimental to the area.
3. Revise Local Plans
- Local Plan Review: As part of the regular review of the local plan, EHDC can incorporate evidence and arguments that justify lower housing targets. They can outline alternative strategies for sustainable development that align better with local conditions.
- Community Involvement: Engage with the community to gather support and input, which can be used to strengthen the case for revising housing targets.
4. Utilise Legal and Planning Frameworks
- Planning Appeals: EHDC can appeal specific decisions or targets set by higher authorities through planning appeals. This can be done if they believe the targets are not based on sound evidence or do not consider local constraints.
- Judicial Review: In extreme cases, EHDC might consider seeking a judicial review of the housing targets if there is a legal basis to argue that the targets were set unfairly or without proper consideration of local circumstances.
5. Advocate for Policy Changes
- Lobbying for Policy Reform: EHDC can lobby for changes in national planning policies that provide more flexibility for local authorities to set realistic housing targets based on local conditions.
- Collaboration with Other Councils: Work with other local councils facing similar challenges to collectively advocate for policy changes or adjustments to the housing targets.
6. Highlighting Negative Impacts
- Environmental Impact: Provide detailed reports on the potential environmental degradation, loss of green spaces, and biodiversity threats that could result from adhering to the current housing targets.
- Infrastructure Overload: Highlight the potential overloading of local infrastructure, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and utilities, which could compromise the quality of life for existing residents.
7. Public and Media Campaigns
- Raise Public Awareness: Use media campaigns to raise public awareness about the issue and garner community support.
- Public Petitions and Meetings: Organize public petitions and hold meetings to discuss the impacts of unrealistic housing targets and to gather community feedback.
Example Steps EHDC Might Take:
- Commission Independent Reports: Commission independent reports on housing needs, infrastructure capacity, and environmental impact to support their case.
- Draft Formal Requests: Draft and submit formal requests to central government or relevant authorities for adjustments to the housing targets.
- Engage with MPs and Councillors: Engage local Members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors to advocate on behalf of the council at higher levels of government.
- Hold Public Consultations: Conduct public consultations to ensure transparency and gather additional evidence of community concerns and support.
By pursuing these avenues, EHDC can work towards achieving more realistic and sustainable housing targets that better align with the needs and capacities of the local area.