BCP Council must prepare a housing action plan after Government figures ranked it low for delivery, with local leaders pointing to planning permissions, costs and environmental pressures. BCP Council must draw up a Housing Action Plan after falling short of housing targets. The Government’s latest Housing Delivery Test, published on August 17, ranked Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council 17th lowest out of more than 300 English authorities and the lowest in the south west. Between 2022 and 2025, the council had a requirement for 8,010 homes, but 2,799 were delivered, meaning it must p
BCP Council must draw up a Housing Action Plan after falling short of housing targets.
The Government’s latest Housing Delivery Test, published on August 17, ranked Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council 17th lowest out of more than 300 English authorities and the lowest in the south west.
Between 2022 and 2025, the council had a requirement for 8,010 homes, but 2,799 were delivered, meaning it must prepare an action plan and add a 20 per cent buffer to housing land supply.
A spokesperson for landowners and developers including W H White, Bellway Homes, Miller Homes and AJC Group said the result should prompt a “fresh approach”, adding that residents deserve quality homes they can afford and businesses need staff to be able to find homes locally.
Deputy leader Councillor Mike Cox said BCP was “not complacent” about building more homes, but said comparisons do not always reflect the challenges faced across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole when measured against national targets.
He said more than 9,000 homes had planning permission in 2024/25 but remained unbuilt by industry, while BCP’s coastline, waterways and natural habitats made national housing targets particularly challenging for the area.
