BOURNEMOUTH council would have to build twice the number of homes annually under a new Government proposal.

Local authorities are set annual housebuilding targets by central government to ensure demand is met across the country.

The country is often claimed to be in the midst of a housing 'crisis' with, in particular, a shortage of new 'affordable' homes for low earners and young people.

In Bournemouth, under the existing Strategic Housing Market Assessment system, the borough is required to build 730 new homes per year, a target it has been working towards.

But under new rules currently in the consultation stage, this would rise to 1,458 homes per year.

Councillor Robert Chapman (right), chairman of the planning policy steering committee, told the cabinet the new target would be very difficult to achieve.

“This is double what we are doing at the moment, it is very worrying,” he said.

“I don’t know how they came up with this rather ludicrous calculation.

“The recommendation is that the planning policy steering manager be asked to prepare a robust response to the consultation proposals based on the comments made by the steering group.”

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for planning, said: “By and large we have been fairly close to our target over the last few years.

"The latest figures are quite alarming, something in the region of 1,400. But it doesn't actually stop there. If we don’t meet the new target it will be increased by 20 per cent.

“To a town like ours bordered by Poole on one side, Christchurch on the other, the sea on one side and a sweep of mainly green belt land to the North, it is quite alarming really.”

According to the steering group’s report, the new proposals would also see a new structure for identifying housing land supply which the documents says will lead “to pressure on the local planning authority to grant inappropriate development”.

The cabinet voted to send a response to the consultation saying the new target “demonstrated a lack of understanding on the delivery of housing targets and the impact this would have on the local community”.

The borough will raise “serious concerns” over the “lack of local context” in the target calculation.