Clear guidance on future house building planning policy is urgently needed, HBF today warned Government, if a deepening of the already acute housing crisis is to be avoided. The Coalition agreement document refers to a ‘rapid’ abolition of the Regional Strategies – plans that set out the number of new homes that have to be built in an area – but only commits to reforming the planning system ‘in the longer term’ as the Government moves towards a ‘localism’ based approach. Clearly any gap between the abolition of the Regional Strategies and the introduction of a new planning system poses serious concerns for all those to whom housing matters, including house builders and Local Authorities alike, but also for local communities, home buyers and the many employed in and through house building. There is obvious potential for the dangerous void of guidance to derail the recovery seen in recent months – with clear implications both for jobs, and for people looking to buy and in need of a home. The announcement that regional housing targets are to be scrapped was expected, but the document raises other questions. As HBF has been saying for months, a transition plan to bridge the gap between the radically different policies of the last and the current Government is absolutely essential if we are to avert a slump in house building - already at its lowest level since World War Two. Speaking today HBF chairman Stewart Baseley said; “We urgently need clarity on housing planning policy if the Government is to deliver its pre-election pledge to build more of the homes it recognises we need. We all expected the regional plans to be scrapped, but we now need direction on how we are to move forward. We have an acute housing crisis in this country, approaching a shortfall of a million new homes. We just cannot afford a period of confusion to reduce house building still further at a time when we are already building at the lowest level for many decades. The new Governments proposal to scrap HIP’s is welcome.” The proposal to increase Local Authorities’ powers to stop so called ‘Garden Grabbing’ is also concerning. In many areas, Local Authorities face difficult choices in determining where to build necessary new homes. They may choose to grant planning applications for garden sites as it is the only way to supply much needed housing in a manner that is not detrimental to the local character. Building on such sites is often also important for smaller local firms which provide much needed local employment. For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact Steve Turner on 020 7960 1606 / 07919 307 760 or steve.turner@hbf.co.uk Notes to Editors: 1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal representative body 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
