Responding to the announcement of the Government’s consultation on changes to the Housing & Planning Delivery Grant, Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation, says: "HBF warmly welcomes this move by the Government to support local authorities seeking to improve housing delivery in their areas. It is imperative that local authorities have the right incentives to respond to housing pressures, particularly in the light of increasing affordability problems for first-time buyers. Communities around the country face housing challenges unique to their area, to which local authorities must have the scope and encouragement to respond in a tailored way to promote economic and social success." Notes for Editors 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 over 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 The Government’s consultation on reform to the Planning Delivery Grant and Housing Delivery Grant is available online at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501735 Consultation responses are due in by 17 October 2006. For media information, please contact: Toby Orr 0207 404 5344 07736 175311 toby.orr@portlandpr.co.uk
