Housing in the headlines
Reeves lays down the planning law, putting housing and development policy front-and-centre of economic speech
Planning policy continues to dominate the new government's policy agenda, as Sir Keir Starmer moves into his second week in Number 10. In her first official speech as Chancellor of Exchequer, Rachel Reeves pledged to review the National Planning Policy Framework "before the end of the month". She also announced that she would restore mandatory housebuilding targets, in an effort to deliver the Government’s target of 1.5m homes by the next election.
Reeves also committed to relax planning restrictions on so-called ‘grey belt’ land, including an enhanced presumption in favour of development. Other restrictions to be relaxed include those surrounding critical infrastructure, transport and energy, as well as abolishing the de facto ban on new onshore wind turbines.
More Labour MPs in rural areas might not pose a challenge to Labour's pro-development stance
New Labour MP for Chipping Barnet, Dan Tomlinson, has said the new ‘influx’ of younger MPs will ‘reflect the voting coalition’ and demand for tackling the housing crisis. Writing in OnLondon, Tomlinson states the theory that more Labour MPs in less built-up areas in suburban and rural Britain will lead to Labour reversing its pro-development policies ‘couldn’t be more wrong’ and new Labour MPs will not ‘shy away’ from planning reform.
New government promises more devolved powers for metro mayors
The Prime Minister and Secretary of State Angela Rayner have met with England’s ‘metro mayors’, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, to discuss a new ‘wave’ of devolution deals and empowerment for regional government. Starmer said that local leaders ‘make much better decisions’ than Westminster politicians, and that his ‘door is open’ to better and more ‘bold’ ways to deliver services outside of Whitehall.
Social landlords unprepared for new repair deadline legislation
The Housing Ombudsman has warned that the social housing sector is ‘not ready’ for the introduction of Awaab’s Law, which requires social landlords to respond to repairs requests within specific timescales. In its latest severe maladministration report, the Ombudsman highlights 27 social landlords whose poor responses to complaints about leaking plumbing are not ‘consistent’ with a prepared sector.
Mooted City Hall developer could unlock 1,600 homes in a decade
BusinessLDN and PwC have published a report which finds that the GLA could deliver 1,600 new homes over 10 years, if £100m is invested in a proposed City Hall developer. Delivered as a commitment in the Mayor of London’s 2021 manifesto, the report recommends the developer lead as a partner to public sector landowners, complementing private development to avoid competition.