ALMOST 2000 fewer homes will be built in Lancashire if new Government proposals are accepted.

The government has published a national consultation outlining plans for house building in England that in general terms reduces the number of new homes required in the north and increases numbers in the south.

It was initially proposed that Lancashire’s 15 authorities would have to build 5202 homes a year by 2026 but if the revised proposals are accepted this could be reduced to 3234 a year.

The proposal shows Blackburn with Darwen would only have to build 153 houses a year, not the current 625 outlined in its housing plan.

Pendle would have to build 165 a year, just over half of what it was told to build.

Ribble Valley would only have to build 172 instead of 280, Burnley would need 70 instead of 124, Hyndburn would need 60 instead of 213 and Rossendale would need to build 212 instead of 247.

Chorley is the only borough in Lancashire which would see an increase in the number of houses, from 417 to 634.

Cllr Mark Townsend, the leader of Burnley Council, said: “We object to the possibility of our ambitious plans for future economic growth being constrained by a flawed central government model that will stifle ambition and increase the north and south divide.”

Cllr Miles Parkinson, the leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “If you want the economy to move forward we need to provide new housing in the north.

“What this is doing is giving housing numbers which are not deliverable in the south or delivering the number of housed needed to drive an economic boost in the north.”

Cllr Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, said: “It certainly has been lacking a clear methodology that council’s can use to asses the number of houses in the area."

“For us it’s a consultation and we just do not know when these changes will be implemented. For us here in Rossendale it may be too little too late.”

Cllr Ken Hind, the leader of Ribble Valley Council, said: “This will bring relief to residents and time to develop the necessary infrastructure associated with the planning consents already granted.

“The government have finally recognised that as far as building homes is concerned one size does not fit all for local authorities.”

Pendle council leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said this news has left the council in ‘limbo’ because they do not know where the government has got this information from.

The issue will be discussed during Pendle council’s executive meeting at Nelson Town Hall on Thursday.

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: “This is subject to an ongoing consultation with the Government and nothing has yet been confirmed.”

The consultation closes on November 9.