Member Article

Today marks a pivotal shift towards a more pro-development approach. This recognises the importance of creating more quality, sustainable, and mixed-tenure homes, boosting residential supply across the UK, and understanding that this is central to delivering the economic growth the country needs.

The reinstatement of mandatory housing targets and the strengthening of devolution powers are crucial first steps in accelerating housing provision. If the government aims to meet its 1.5m new homes target, it is essential that it continues to collaborate with the real estate industry to shape the next stage.

To build confidence that the announced changes will boost the housing market as the new government hopes, the details of the legislative and policy changes need to be understood by the market. This needs to happen quickly and must begin with the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Any uncertainty around the details of the changes, and their consequences, risks depressing, rather than accelerating, the delivery of new homes.

Planning reform, in particular, must be approached carefully to ensure that changes streamline, speed up, and better resource the system, rather than overhauling it, which could cause industry confusion and slow down any uptick in market activity. One aspect that must be considered closely is how revising the National Planning Policy Framework - expected later this year - will impact local people, as it could lead to a surge in legal challenges against the granting of planning permissions in this brave new world. Comprehensive public and industry consultation is key to avoiding the risk of legal challenges in court.

Regarding the vision for a series of new towns, it is essential that we take lessons from the garden city movement: establishing long-term funding solutions, providing local authorities with the right financial resources and professional support, and building trust between the public and private sectors to support true cross-sector working.

The real estate industry has remained resilient during one of the most challenging periods in recent times. It stands ready to deliver, but the mission to ‘take the brakes off Britain’ hinges on getting this next phase right - forming an approach to delivery that works for all and creates the mixed-tenure homes the UK desperately needs.

 

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