Statement on Financial Times article on housebuilding ban in Hillingdon

An article in The Financial Times this week stated the council, along with both Hounslow and Ealing Councils, would not be able to build new homes for at least a decade due to the local electricity supply grid being at capacity.

The article stated that the Greater London Authority (GLA) had warned developers the three authorities would face a house-building ban until 2035 to allow time to build up grid capacity.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "This is a somewhat scaremongering story which has blown the reality of the situation out of proportion.

"We're not aware of any housing schemes planned for the borough being affected. There is also evidence that power capacity has been reserved for developments that may never take place and this latent capacity should be made available to schemes that will be delivered.

"We understand the GLA is working hard to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, in the meanwhile we have every confidence we'll be delivering on our housing promises."