The Housing Forum welcomes the proposals from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to update the National Planning Policy Framework in a number of key areas.
A well-functioning planning system is key to delivering the homes we need. The Housing Forum has called for a number of reforms in our recent reports on the planning system and our Manifesto for Housing 2024 including:
- The restoration of housing targets with incentives for local authorities to meet them.
- Support for local authorities to review their green belt land.
- A higher proportion of social and affordable homes on green belt land.
Our recent report on reforming the Right to Buy also raised issues with the size of discounts on offer and the lack of flexibility for councils to use receipts to build more social homes.
It is therefore encouraging to see these recommendations being echoed up by government in their announcements today.
Responding to the news, Anna Clarke, Director of Policy and Affairs said:
“It is encouraging to see more detail following on from Labour’s pre-election pledge to reform the planning system and get Britain building. Setting an ambitious target of 370,000 homes, and working with councils to achieve this in their local areas, sets a clear direction from the top of government to those involved in delivering these homes.
An emphasis on social and affordable housing is particularly welcome, and funding is really needed here, alongside trying to get as much as possible when building on greenbelt sites. While we suffer a shortage of homes of all tenures, a lack of social housing is having a particular impact, not least on the 105,000 households in temporary accommodation.
We look forward to working with government to fleshing out these plans further in responding to the consultation on the NPPF, which we will respond to on behalf of Housing Forum members.”
We are also very pleased to see reports in the press that the Chancellor will lift funding for affordable housing, and introduce longer term rent settlements. Anna Clarke, Director of Policy and Affairs said:
“This will be widely welcomed by housing associations and councils as security over their future income will enables them to plan, to borrow and to build new homes with confidence.”
For comments please contact: Anna Clarke, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, 07442 405513 or anna.clarke@housingforum.org.uk.
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