Reacting to the publication of an opinion poll by CPRE which claims 53% of people oppose the Government’s housebuilding plans, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation Stewart Baseley says: “The CPRE’s poll shows them reverting to type – Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone. “Claiming public opposition to housebuilding targets does absolutely nothing to ease the plight of hard-pressed first-time buyers or those without a home at all – the very people whose voice is not heard enough. “England is facing a shortfall of over 60,000 homes per year, and affordability is stretched to the limit. The only solution is to increase the current rate of housebuilding in order to keep pace with demand. “It is developers who are providing much of the country’s affordable housing and who are working hard to try to achieve the Government’s zero carbon homes target for 2016. It is a great shame CPRE has not thought to consider this wider picture in its latest plea to protect the haves against the have-nots.” - Ends - Notes for Editors 1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk For all media information, please contact: Paul Boulter 0207 421 6140 07814 506 378 paul.boulter@portlandpr.co.uk
