HOUSING shortages in Blackburn would be worse if the Tories were in charge of the council, the borough’s regeneration boss claimed.

Cllr Phil Riley was responding to a question from former Tory councillor for Meadowhead, Keith Murray, who questioned the success of the council’s house building record.

Speaking at a council executive board meeting, Mr Murray, who lost his seat in last year's elections, said: "I am confused as to how achievement is measured against which housing delivery programme.

"At the annual policy council of December 2017, there is a target of 280 dwellings with a green performance rating.

"In the annual policy council of December 2018, there is a combined target of 750 dwellings with a green performance rating.

"Accepting these are mid year figures can you explain why they are rated green.

"The authority monitoring report 12 confirms an actual net achievement in 2017/18 of 427.

"The LP2 delivery plan required 1,058 completions in 2017/18

"And 797 in 2018/19 which shows a shortfall against plan of 678 dwellings over the two years, so why is the performance rated as green in both years when there is a 36.5 per cent shortfall against LP2?

"When the local plan part two was put together it was after five years of preparation and consultation with the planning inspectorate. That is what we should be measured against."

Cllr Riley hit back, saying the Conservatives had voted against the majority of large housing developments in the borough in recent years despite a need to meet Government targets.

He said: "At this current moment we expect to deliver a 4,772 out of 5,448 which is a 4.4 year housing supply. Given that the Conservative group voted against every single one of these housing planning applications with the exception of Red House, it’s a bloody good job you weren’t in charge because the numbers would be closer to zero.

"It's worth pointing out there are a number of different measures and calculations.

"The local plan numbers are an aspiration from when the plan was adopted whereas the corporate plan is done on an annual basis.

"The government has indicated that in the future a further measure will be introduced but this has yet to be defined."