Councils Housing Spring Conference

The Housing Forum supports partnership working with councils who have increasing importance and a rapidly growing role in delivering affordable housing.

The Councils Housing Spring Conference agenda focused on planning issues and regulatory reform, supported by The Housing Forum’s Local Councils Advisory Group

Event Sponsors – Bugler Developments

Agenda

Introduction   

Background on key planning and housing delivery issues to be addressed and themes arising from The Housing Fourm’s Councils Network and Advisory Group.   

Conference Chair,  John East, Board Member of The Housing Forum; and Interim Strategic Director for Place at Winchester City Council.  

 Keynote  

Third National Survey of Local Authority Housebuilding activity  

Early findings and insights . Janice Morphet, Visiting Professor, Bartlett School of Planning at University College London  

 PLANNING AND REGULATION  

Overview of the planning and regulatory challenges and opportunities . Conference Chair, John East   

• How planning is changing, outlining impact of first homes, density and permitted development, including next steps in building safety and a brief view ahead to the bill going forward in the Autumn   

Tim Chandler, Partner – Architect, calfordseaden    

• Balancing quality and volume in housebuilding

Nicky Linihan, Planning Officers Society’s Housing Specialist and independent planning consultant  

• National Model Design Code  – latest on the code and pilots

Andy von Bradsky, Head of Architecture, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government    

• The implications of the strategic gap in planning direction at the larger than local level that means placemaking is harder to achieve.  

Martin Elliot, Head of Strategic Planning, Leeds City Council   

Q&A

VIABILITY

•  Biodiversity in New Housing developments: Creating Wildlife-friendly Communities

Paul Stephen, Biodiversity Adviser, RSPB

 Q&A  

ACCELERATING SUPPLY

Overview of the challenges and opportunities.   Shelagh Grant, Chief Executive, The Housing Forum    

• Homes England Strategic Partnerships – Overview of the new Affordable Homes Programme, introduction to Local Authority Strategic Partnerships, and summary of the Agency’s wider tools and resources to support development ambitions.

Adam Morton, Senior Manager – Affordable Housing Strategy, Homes England

• Garden communities - how garden communities are contributing to accelerating supply – projected growth, barriers to that growth and success stories including the opportunity provided through council led developments. 

Huw Edwards, Senior Planning Partner, Barton Willmore      

• Rightsizing – innovative approach  

Gravesham BC, with consultants BPTW have developed a ‘Rightsizing’ approach to determine best use of stock and land in council ownership, addressing acute housing need and pent-up demand for homes that better meet their needs and are more energy efficient and cost effective to run. This is encouraging older residents to downsize, reducing overcrowding and maintaining movement in stock, enabling further sites to be brought forward. Funding, sustainability/energy efficiency/low carbon, plus cost/benefit ratio and measurement will all be covered.  

Sharon Donald – New Homes Development and Strategy Manager, Gravesham Borough Council and Neill Campbell – Partner, BPTW  

 Q&A   

Sum up and close  

 The Housing Forum’s Councils Network  is made up of the 76 councils in our membership, and is supported by member sponsors Baily Garner, BPTW, calfordseaden, and Claritas. 

 previous Councils Conference delegate comments included:  

‘A thought provoking and relevant webinar addressing real issues that we are currently experiencing’

‘The webinar was excellent – relevant, timely and informative with good speakers’

  #councilshousebuilding

Event Sponsors – Bugler Developments

Bugler Developments is an award-winning, family owned residential property development company operating throughout London and the South East. We have approaching 40 years’ industry experience and operate predominantly in the Affordable Housing sector. It is our pleasure to sponsor the 2021 Councils Network Spring Conference. We recognise the role councils play in much needed new housing and hope that this conference provides an insightful forum for all involved.

~ Bugler Developments

Media Partners – LABM

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