Barnsley unveils housing plans

The Barnsley Council strategy covering the next 20 years includes the aim of building around 200 affordable homes a year and increasing the supply of private rented homes by a quarter.

The authority also wants to see some 300 empty houses brought back into use.

Published this morning, the strategy says a new approach to housing in the district is needed with the population set to rise by around 17,000 in the next seven years alone with significant increases in the number of older people living in Barnsley.

The number of homes in Barnsley is currently increasing by less than one per cent a year.

Coun Roy Miller, Barnsley Council cabinet spokesman for place, said: “The longer-term housing needs and economic aspirations of the council are based on the forthcoming Local Plan.

“Our aim will be to increase the supply and choice of housing sites so that a five-year supply of ready to develop sites can be maintained throughout the period covered by the Local Plan.”