Our Experts Respond to Government Plan to Build a Million Homes
Posted by UK Property Forums on 26th July 2023 -
A massive new urban quarter in Cambridge is among the Government ambitions which will be one of the first tasks of a ‘super squad’ of planners seeking to unblock major schemes across the country.
There will be the creation of development corporations, the launch of a planning skills delivery fund to clear backlogs and improve skills, increased fees levied on developers, further relaxation of rules to turn shops, takeaways and betting shops into homes and a cut in the administration required to convert barns and repurpose farm buildings.
There will also be a review of permitted development rights (PDR) to make it easier for the public to extend homes, convert lofts and renovate buildings.
Colin Brown, head of planning & development at Carter Jonas, said: “There is some encouragement in relation to suggestions of new lines of funding to help local authorities with their significant workload / backlogs.
“Development corporations may well have a place if the Government genuinely wishes to ramp up delivery, for example in Cambridge.
“Cambridge is, however, surrounded by a Green Belt so significant questions will remain as to how you capitalise on its ongoing potential without recognising that some Green Belt development will almost certainly be needed. How you leverage in new infrastructure is a further key question.
“What seems clear, however, is that national housing targets look set to be abandoned. The reference to urban areas and brownfield sites anticipates the fact that greenfield development in areas of greatest housing need do not really feature.
“While we would support use of brownfield land it is simply incorrect to suggest that the housing crisis can be met in this way. Greenfield and Green Belt land will both need to be considered.”
David Jones, managing director of Evans Jones, said: “Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove reiterated the commitment to build one million new homes by the end of this current parliament in the July 24 speech.
“The focus is on inner city areas with high demand and constrained growth, including a proposed urban quarter in Cambridge. Consultations are planned on permitted development rights for converting department stores, office spaces, and more into housing.
“A £24 million planning skills delivery fund aims to clear backlogs and a ‘super-squad’ of planners will work on unblocking major housing developments. An Office for Place will promote design codes and individual character in local areas. However….
“After abandoning its manifesto pledge of 300,000 new homes per annum, for the Government to attempt to spin the line that one million homes (equivalent to 200,000 per annum) is a good result after 13 years in power, is reprehensible.
“Nothing in Gove’s speech addresses the housing crisis adequately. The absence of a comprehensive solution for housing affordability and reluctance to utilise vacant land, especially in the Green Belt, has drawn opposition, even from Gove’s fellow Conservative MPs.
“Overall, I do not believe the proposed measures will resolve the housing shortfall or gain acceptance, due to concerns and opposition from various stakeholders (including those of some of his fellow MPs).
“This is yet another example of a desperate Government pandering to NIMBYs in a last ditch attempt to try to protect a diminishing electorate.”
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