Vacant and stalled sites across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be identified for potential affordable housing after councillors approved a motion.
The agreement calls for an urgent audit of unused and delayed development sites, as well as a detailed financial breakdown of council-owned land. Councillors also backed the idea of using legal powers to require developers to start building on land with planning permission.
Councillor Peter Cooper, who introduced the motion, said too many approved sites remained untouched and warned the council needed to act quickly to ensure safe and secure homes were available. He also suggested the council could in future look at becoming its own developer.
Councillor Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, seconded the motion and said “rents in this area are now ten times the national average wage. That is not sustainable. That is not acceptable.”
Other councillors spoke of wider challenges at the full council meeting on 16 September. Councillor Kieron Wilson highlighted the impact of high interest rates and the loss of construction workers, while Councillor Eleanor Connolly raised concerns about poor engagement with landlords and the risks for tenants in poor housing.
The motion was approved by consensus, with no councillors opposing the move.
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