House builders are providing a multi-million pound boost to the Kirklees economy, claims a report – but more benefits would result if Kirklees met its target for building new homes.
Figures compiled for the Home Builders Federation (HBF) show that 360 new houses were started in Kirklees last year, accounting for 1,548 jobs and 14 graduate and apprenticeship positions.
House building contributed £578,520 towards education in the area; £462,960 in extra council tax revenue; £3.6m in other tax contributions and £336,960 towards new open spaces, community spaces or sports facilities or enhancing existing resources.
The report said 83 affordable homes were built and payments of £7.97m were generated for further provision of new affordable homes.
But bigger benefits would accrue if Kirklees Council met its housing needs – which meant providing 992 additional homes each year, according to the report. “Output is still a long way off of what is required,” it added.
Meeting the target would create 4,267 jobs and 40 graduate and apprentice positions; generate £1.59m towards education in the area; bring in £1.27m in extra council tax revenue and £9.92m in extra tax contributions as well as contribute £928,793 towards open space and community amenities. It would also mean building 228 affordable homes and provide payments of £21.97m to fund new affordable homes.
The findings come in the face of controversial plans for new homes in areas including Grimescar, Mirfield, Skelmanthorpe, Farnley Tyas and Holmfirth.
The HBF report – The Economic Footprint of UK House Building – claims that across Yorkshire and Humberside, 13,520 homes were started by private house builders, the public sector and housing associations last year – supporting 58,136 jobs, creating 541 graduate and apprentice positions, contributing £21.72m towards education, £17.38m in extra council tax revenue and £135.2m in other tax contributions.
Some £12.65m was generated for open space and public amenities while 3,110 new affordable homes were built and payments of £299.37m were made to local authorities for further provision of new affordable homes.
But the report said the region had a shortfall of 1,506 homes every year. Meeting its target would mean 6,475 jobs, 60 graduates and apprentices positions, £2.41m towards education, £1.93m in extra council tax revenue, £15.05m in extra tax contributions, £1.40m for open spaces and public amenities, 346 new affordable homes and payments of £33.34m to local authorities for further provision of new affordable homes.
BHF chairman Stewart Baseley said: “House building makes a huge, but largely hidden, social and economic contribution to Yorkshire and Humberside. And whilst housing output in the region has increased, we are still not delivering anywhere near what is needed”.
