Increase in new homes being built in Rugby is 25 per cent higher than the country's average

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey (centre) at Houlton with Urban&Civic Group development director Richard Coppell (right) and Urban&Civic chief executive Nigel Huggill (left).

The increase in new homes being built in Rugby is 25 per cent higher than the country's average - which has earned praise from the Government.

And the new Houlton development was highlighted as a major factor behind the figures.

There has been opposition to the rise in new homes in and around Rugby, with the Government ordering Rugby Borough Council - and all councils in England - to build thousands of new homes over the next few years.

But Mark Pawsey MP for Rugby, said the rise in new homes is a positive move for the town and borough.

During the penultimate day of debate on the Queen’s Speech, titled 'Affordable and Safe Housing for All', Housing Minister Chris Pincher praised Rugby's approach, saying that the Government hoped to “end the glacial pace of planning by mandating every council to have up-to-date local plans", so they can reach their target of of 300,000 new homes a year.

Mr Pawsey spoke at the debate and said he believed that the Government's new Planning Bill will help deliver more new homes.

He highlighted the new Houlton development, which will provide thousands of new homes, schools and a GP surgery.

The MP added that according to the most recent figures available, the net increase in housing in Rugby was 25 per cent higher than the country as a whole.

Speaking after the debate, he said: "The proposals for areas of growth are ones which Rugby has used in it’s Local Plan making process and if other authorities adopting this positive approach it will help deliver the next generation of housing.”

“It is also vital that as we build new homes for future generations and give them the chance to own their own home, we ensure that the right infrastructure and services are delivered alongside them. Reforming the planning process to enable areas to be developed at scale, as we are seeing locally, means that we can get homes suitable for all our residents.”