THE number of homes built in Warrington will have to increase dramatically if the town is to meet its ambitious local plan target.

The housing completions figures for 2017-18, the latest available to the council, reveal 75 housing applications were approved in the borough over the year, with 385 residential properties built.

Latchford East topped the table, with five schemes approved and 88 homes built, Bewsey and Whitecross was second, with 11 applications approved and 68 houses built, and Westbrook was third, with one scheme approved and 59 properties built.

Furthermore, Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall had four approvals and 32 houses built, while Fairfield and Howley had four applications passed and 24 homes built.

In contrast, Orford, Birchwood and Burtonwood and Winwick each had one proposal approved and one home built over 2017-18, according to the figures.

And Stockton Heath and Chapelford and Old Hall both had two schemes passed and two homes built.

During the leader's forum at Grappenhall Cricket Club earlier this month, council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: "In terms of affordable housing, the record nationally is pretty shocking in terms of making it happen.

"What we see far too often in Warrington is that developers put forward an economic viability case that says 'we can’t provide 30 per cent otherwise we can’t make enough profit'."

But the council says the draft local plan has been subject to a viability assessment, which will strengthen its ability to ensure that affordable housing is provided in line with policy requirements.

The draft aims to deliver 18,900 new homes – or 945 a year – up until 2037.

And, despite the target being far higher than the 385 homes built in 2017-18, Town Hall bosses say they are confident the local plan proposals can be achieved.

A spokesman added: "The council recognises that it will not deliver 945 homes per annum early in the plan period.

"The need to release green belt land and the lead in times for the major infrastructure required to support the proposals means that there will be a relatively lower level of housing delivery for the first five years of the plan period – at annual average of 847 homes per annum.

"The annual average housing requirement over the remaining 15 years of the plan is then increased to 978 homes per annum to ensure the minimum of 945 homes per annum is delivered over the plan period.

"This is known as a 'stepped housing trajectory' and the Government's planning guidance recognises that such an approach is appropriate where strategic sites, such as those being proposed by the council, will have a phased delivery or are likely to be delivered later in the plan period."

It will be up to an independent inspector to examine whether the local plan is 'sound'.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – the Government department responsible for housing, communities and local government – says local plans should provide a 'positive vision' for an area’s housing needs and economic, social and environmental priorities.

A spokesman added: "We would encourage local people and stakeholders to respond to the consultation so that the plan can reflect the views of their community."

A consultation on the draft local plan and local transport plan, which started yesterday, runs until June 17.

Drop-in events will take place at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on May 8, from 2pm until 8pm, May 14, from 2pm until 8pm, May 16, from 2pm until 8pm, May 20, from 2pm until 8pm, May 22, from 2pm until 8pm, and June 8, from 11am to 4pm.