<p>The government will keep its method for calculating local housing numbers but “consult on changes”, according to a Written Ministerial Statement giving further detail of its intended amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB).</p> <p>Following the announcement earlier this week <a href="http://www.house-builder.co.uk/news/dluhc-rows-back-housing-targets">that housing targets will no longer be mandatory under changes to the LURB,</a> housing secretary Michael Gove wrote in his WMS that he believed the plan making process needed to “start with a number”. But this should be “advisory”, with local authorities and their communities determining how many homes “<span>can actually be built”</span> in their area, “taking into account what should be protected in each area”.</p> <p>Gove also wrote that local authorities and communities could increase affordable housing provision “if they wish”. </p> <p>Under the changes to the LURB - which Gove said would be set out in a National Planning Policy Framework prospectus for consultation “by Christmas” – the Planning Inspectorate will be <span>instructed not</span> to override “sensible <span>local </span>decision making” <span>when there are local constraints and concerns.</span></p> <p>The housing secretary wrote that this signalled a “<span>rebalancing of the relationship between local councils and the Planning Inspectorate and will give local communities a greater say in …