CARLISLE'S Green Party have criticised the city council after a report indicates they have 'over-delivered' on housing - by 346 per cent. 

The figures are included in the Government's report on Housing Delivery Test Measurements, an annual measurement of housing delivery in the area of relevant authorities. 

The report revealed that the new housing stock across the Carlisle area between 2018 and 2021 has been over-delivered by 346 per cent. 

However, the report indicates that the majority of councils throughout the UK have over delivered when it comes to housing, and in some instances much larger than others, with the figures for Oxford indicating that they have over supplied by 2,126 per cent. 

Despite this, the Carlisle Green Party have raised concern about the impact of 'over-development' on infrastructure, green spaces, traffic congestion and the further strain it will eventually place upon services.

Carlisle Greens are calling for a more 'sensibly-paced' approach to social housing.

Green councillor for Belah and Kingmoor Helen Davison said she was 'staggered' to learn these figures. 

"The council uses the excuse that if it doesn’t meet government targets for housing it will be penalised and justifying their pushing developments forward. And yet now we discover that the council has been approving way more houses that necessary," she said.

Cllr Davison has been critical of the council's urban expansion into green areas such as Deer Park.

"It makes what is happening in Deer Park all the more sickening. This incredibly important natural space which protects the local nature reserve is being destroyed at a time we all know we should be protecting nature, for 80 houses we don’t even need right now.

"Worse still, these houses, even once built, won’t meet the best practice on minimising their environmental impact.

"It is all so wrong," she said. 

Green candidate for Brampton Tom Adams highlighted the strain being placed on services as a result of further expansion. 

"The planned delivery of 106 homes at Winchester Place is putting pressure on Brampton’s infrastructure," he said. 

"For example, figures for Brampton Medical Practice show that between 2021 and 2022, the registered number of patients rose by 400, putting pressure on already overstretched GPs. 

"Section 106 agreements do not sufficiently contribute to places at local schools either," he said. 

In response, Cllr Marilyn Bowman, Portfolio holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing, said: “Carlisle is a growing and ambitious city. Through careful planning and robust strategies, we are managing housing growth and are committed to ensuring the new homes built meet a wide range of needs including those requiring affordable homes. 

“House prices and rents in Carlisle are amongst the lowest and most stable in the country. The city is set to be the location of choice for future generations.

“We are now progressing with proposals to bring forward St Cuthbert’s Garden Village which will serve to meet a substantial proportion of the City’s need for homes over the next 30 years. 

"This is being planned for at a comprehensive level and will create a high quality new community that will continue to attract new residents to support existing employment demand and meet local business growth requirements comprising some 10,000 new homes, employment space, shops, services, schools and substantial tracts for new green and blue infrastructure.

“In addition to managing housing allocations, we’re also tackling empty properties and have a range of initiatives in place to get these homes back into use. 

"In the last twelve months we have reduced the number of empty properties in the district by 35%," she said. 

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