The Government’s approach to housing targets in rural areas has come under scrutiny in Parliament, with East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds leading calls for a policy rethink.

In the recent debate in Westminster Hall, Mr Hinds argued that the current formula places excessive pressure on the countryside.

He cited figures from the Parliamentary Library showing that rural areas have experienced an average 71 percent increase in housing targets under the new system. In contrast, urban areas have seen an average rise of just 16 percent, with some, including parts of Birmingham and London, experiencing reductions.

Mr Hinds said this reinforced concerns that the policy is unfairly weighted against the countryside.

He said: “We all agree that we need more homes to be built, and that includes here in East Hampshire - home ownership is out of reach for far too many locally.

“But this new formula has resulted in an extreme swing towards building in areas like ours, and in a way that actually may not much help would-be first-time buyers.”

In the debate he stressed East Hampshire needs more lower-priced homes, some for rent but also more-affordable open market homes. “The formula doesn’t do this sufficiently”, he said.

Mr Hinds underscored the unique challenges facing East Hampshire, where a significant portion of the district falls within the South Downs National Park, while the rest remains outside it. With 73 percent of the local population living outside the park, this area has absorbed around 85 percent of recent housing development. Mr Hinds warned that the sharply increased housing targets risk exacerbating this imbalance.

During the debate, Mr Hinds and other MPs stressed that new housing must be matched with essential infrastructure, including school places, GP surgeries, public transport, and services like sewerage. While many of these are statutory requirements, Mr Hinds voiced concerns over whether they would be delivered in a timely manner.

He said: “It is also important to pay attention to maintaining the character of areas. … In addition to a beautiful landscape, the constituency has an important cultural heritage, as the home of Jane Austen.

“That is important not only to people who live in East Hampshire but to many who visit from elsewhere in the country and from abroad.”

Responding, the Housing Minister reiterated the Labour Government’s commitment to building 1.5 million homes. He did though say he would “reflect on the concerns” about the clarity of some of the guidance issued.

After the debate, Mr Hinds said: “I will continue to press for the formula to be changed to be more reasonable and realistic for rural areas like East Hampshire.”