OPPOSITION parties are calling on Reading Borough Council’s ruling Labour group to do more to bring affordable housing to the town.
Reading Greens say that in recent years, just over a quarter – 27% – of the 406 new homes a year has been delivered, with an average of 110 per year.
Some of these are in the process of being built, such as the controversial decision to knock down the historic Victorian swimming baths at Cemetery Junction.
Doug Cresswell, new Green Party Councillor for Katesgrove, said the council is failing to meet the requirements of the Berkshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment.
“On affordable housing, the Labour council just isn’t delivering,” he said.
“Time and time again, we see Labour councillors wave through new developments with little affordable housing. Unfortunately, the Conservative government’s policies have also made matters worse.”
He added: “Having a safe, warm, affordable home is so important to the people of Reading. Our key workers need a place to call home. Our teachers, nurses, posties and everyone who got us through Covid deserve a home they can afford.
“We need policies designed to deliver for the people of Reading, and politicians willing to see them through.”
And the Conservative group leader, Cllr Clarence Mitchell, felt Reading needed to show more determination with its policies.
“Given Reading’s need for truly affordable housing, we have always said the Labour administration could and should be more ambitious,” he told Reading Today.
“RBC urgently needs to adopt a more creative and innovative attitude towards its own property portfolio, and the town’s derelict sites, with the aim of identifying more opportunities for the redevelopment and repurposing of suitable assets wherever feasible.
“It should also continue to hold developers’ feet to the fire over their application commitments to provide genuinely affordable homes whenever permissions are granted.
“Too often those numbers can end up being reduced.”
The Liberal Democrats also have reservations about the council’s stance.
Cllr James Moore, who is a Tilehurst member, said: “Having been a member of the Planning Applications Committee since being elected in May, I am strongly concerned with the number of developments submitted with less than the 30% affordable housing contribution.
“This contribution percentage is the Council’s defined policy.
“Still, as I’ve raised in the committee itself, the Council is not on a happy path with the lack of affordable housing being supplied in new developments.”
But Cllr Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council, defended the situation.
“It is somewhat surprising to hear the Greens finally advocating for more affordable homes given that they have, in recent memory, voted against over 100 new affordable homes at Planning Committee and voted against Labour’s budget providing funding for over 300 new Council homes in Reading,” he said.
“Indeed, Green Party policies would evidently mean far fewer affordable homes delivered in Reading.
“Labour’s record of delivering affordable housing in Reading is good, with an increase of 200% in terms of delivery in 2021-22.
“We presently have the largest Council home building programme in a generation, including new key worker housing and extra-care housing.”
Cllr Brock said there was a severe shortage of affordable housing supply nationally, as well as in Reading.
“The Conservative Government’s planning framework continues to frustrate our ability to secure the levels of affordable housing we want from private developers,” he continued.
“Until the Government changes course and reworks the system, there will continue to be a shortage of affordable housing despite the best efforts of Labour councils and councillors.
“As we’ve seen over the past week, electing a Labour Government to work in partnership with Reading Council would deliver many more affordable houses and flats in Reading through major changes to the planning system.”
He added: “On the face of it, the Greens are happy to criticise affordable housing delivery in Reading without full context, but when they have the opportunity to do something tangible themselves to increase numbers, they vote against it. I’d remind them that actions speak louder than words.”
