The Government has published its proposed changes to the draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the Yorkshire and Humber, increasing the total of new homes as well as boosting the number of future jobs.

The proposed changes would increase housing growth to over 22,000 a year, and annual job growth to 29,000. These increased figures reflect not only the pressing need for more homes in Yorkshire and Humber in response to an ageing and growing population, but also its economic potential.

The Housing Green Paper made it clear that we need a national drive to increase the number of homes being built and to make housing more affordable. This is why the Government has announced an extension of the new growth points scheme to include the northern regions with 50,000 additional homes being built as well as inviting expression of interests for Eco-towns schemes.

Lords Minister for Housing Baroness Andrews said: “Everyone should have access to a decent home at an affordable price, in an area in which they want to live and work. Lack of affordable housing is a national challenge. That is why we need to build more homes across the board – including social housing, shared ownership, family housing and more market housing too.

Yorkshire and Humber is a thriving region with a great future, and in order to support and encourage high job growth, we need to build more homes supported by integrated transport and increased green spaces.”

New homes will benefit from new planning laws which will offer greater protection against flood risk, and which will also prevent inappropriate development in high flood risk areas without losing opportunities for new homes and jobs.

The Government has also made clear its commitment to preserving the Green Belt for future generations. The priority for development will remain brownfield land – already 74 per cent of new housing is being built on brownfield land, up from 57 per cent in 1997.

The Government has made clear its commitment to build 3m new homes by 2020, creating new jobs, green spaces and improving infrastructure across the country.