Much of the discussion in the recently released ‘Housing White Paper’ was around the support for new homes. Although generally considered a small step, we welcome, for example, the £45 million Land Release Fund and Accelerated Construction programme for building on public sector land:
“The starting point is to build more homes. This will slow the rise in housing costs so that more ordinary working families can afford to buy a home” – Teresa May, Prime Minister.
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We are pleased to note that further funding will be made available to neighbourhood planning groups from 2018-2020, this funding aims to give communities more ability to influence the design quality of proposals.
The most forward-thinking aim, albeit long-term, is the introduction of digital platforms on design, ‘to create pattern-books or 3D models that can be implemented through the planning process’ and ‘used to consult local people on potential designs for their area’. Although a rather vague description, this proposal could lead in an interesting direction, providing that we can avoid a new generation of identikit homes.
‘At present around 60 percent of new homes are built by just 10 companies” – Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Communities
The Housing White Paper suggests listing the sites available for housing that landowners are not currently developing. As a practice working with many smaller developers, we welcome Sajid Javid MP’s support for an increase in transparency around land ownership.
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