CALLS have been made for borough council officers to undertake research on how the authority can become a housebuilder.

As previously reported, government calculations suggest as many as 17,820 new homes need to be built in the borough by the end of 2039.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council documents reveal that the authority needs to build 7,703 houses more than it currently has in the pipeline.

It's part of the update process of a document called the local plan, which sets the rules surrounding the development of the borough and can be used by developers as a blueprint on where and how to build houses.

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At a meeting of the borough council’s economic, planning and housing committee held on Monday, September 5 councillors unanimously voted in favour of recommending that housing numbers should be rejected.

It has since been revealed that the figures have been calculated using the Standard Method, which uses data which is 13 years out of date. 

During a full council meeting held last December, Cllr Jo Slimin put forward a motion calling on the council to undertake the research required to urgently bring forward proposals on how the Council can become a housebuilder.

During cabinet meeting on January 10, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Tadley and Pamber called on members to take notice of the motion.

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During the meeting, she said: "Since I re-joined this council in May and before you have been discussing the issue of housing in our borough and I have heard the frustration of councillors and the public on the numbers now being required annually. You have valid reasons for your concerns. But you have not offered solutions that will make a difference.

"Colleagues, we can do something to take back control. We can explore how we might again provide council houses and affordable homes for our residents as we did before 1993/4 when we agreed to sell our housing stock to two housing associations finalised in 1995."

The motion was also supported by the leader of the independent group, Cllr Paul Harvey.

During the meeting, he added: "Over many years ward councillors and former administrations have had success delivering affordable housing supported by excellent officers and a will to see this council lead the housing agenda with our partners.

"What we need now to address the growing need for affordable housing is that kind of leadership again. This is not about passing the buck to other developers and deliverers of housing, we’re talking about a far more proactive and engaged process where this council actively works in partnership leading on this issue and delivering homes itself."