Ministerial praise for Test Valley Borough Council
Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has received ministerial praise this week for successfully hitting its housebuilding target over the past three years.
Since 2016 /17, the authority has delivered more than 2,500 new homes, including around 700 new affordable homes - helping people get on the housing ladder and to support those in the greatest need.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP, wrote to the leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, praising the council's performance and crediting the authority for “really rising to the challenge".
He added: “I hope your effort will serve as a source of encouragement for other authorities and demonstrates what is possible when a local authority works with their community to produce a local plan and turns it into a reality".
Portfolio Holder for Housing and Environmental Health, Councillor Phil Bundy, said: "It is great for TVBC to receive this acknowledgement. Of course, our success is not just about housing delivery but about ensuring we build the right homes in the right places, and that we work together across sectors to deliver the jobs and the infrastructure that are needed to accompany new homes.
“Our borough is open for business and we are actively working with local communities to make a positive difference to people's lives. We are in the process of developing a new housing strategy and local plan for Test Valley, and looking to the future to determine how we can continue to deliver new homes that meet local residents' needs."
TVBC has worked with developers and registered providers to deliver a wide range of new properties to suit a variety of needs, from one-bedroom flats to large family homes.
In 2019, TVBC ranked 31st out of 326 local authorities for housing delivery.