Risky Ploughs Into Housing Promises

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The government will meet its manifesto commitment to build 1 million homes over this Parliament, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has promised – with agricultural land in Cambridge particularly targeted for housing.

Sunak who was speaking on 24 July, claimed that since 2010, over 2.2 million new homes have been delivered.

His pledge came hours before a major speech by the Housing and Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove. Gove set out new measures to unblock the planning system and build more homes where there is local consent.

NIMBYs

There is an issue over consent, with many Tory rural MPs revolting in a backlash against any watering down of the planning consent process.

Sunak said: “Rather than concreting over the countryside, the government will focus on prioritising building in inner-city areas where demand is highest and growth is being constrained.

“This includes a new urban quarter in Cambridge which will unlock the city’s full potential as a source of innovation and talent. Working with local leaders and communities in Cambridge, a new quarter will create new homes, supported by state-of-the-art facilities with cutting-edge laboratories and green spaces.”

 “Our reforms will help make that a reality, by regenerating disused brownfield land, streamlining planning process and helping homeowners to renovate and extend their houses outwards and upwards.”

– Rishi Sunak 

Prime Minister, Member of Parliament

Having a say

Michael Gove said: “Most people agree that we need to build more homes – the question is how we go about it.

“Rather than concreting over the countryside, we have set out a plan to build the right homes in the right places where there is community support – and we’re putting the resources behind it to help make this vision a reality.

”At the heart of this is making sure communities have a say in the development in their area.”

Ending bottlenecks

“The government will also take steps to unblock the bottlenecks in the planning system that are choking and slowing down development and stopping growth and investment by:

• “Immediately launching a £24 million Planning Skills Delivery Fund to clear backlogs and get the right skills in place.

• “Setting up a new ‘super-squad’ team of planners and other experts charged with working across the planning system to unblock major housing developments. The team will first be deployed in Cambridge to turbocharge our plans in the city.

• “Developers will also be asked to contribute more through fees, to help support a higher quality more efficient planning service.

• “New flexibilities to convert shops, takeaways and betting shops into homes will help to rejuvenate the high street. Meanwhile, red tape will be cut to enable barn conversions and the repurposing of agricultural buildings and disused warehouses.

• “New freedoms to extend homes, convert lofts and renovate new buildings will help to convert existing properties into new accommodation. A review into the extension of permitted development rights will make it easier for homeowners to build upwards and outwards – with new extensions and loft conversions - whilst ensuring neighbours’ interests are protected.”

Picture: Cambridge has been targeted for a splurge in house building.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
27th July 2023

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