Amid criticism from developers, proposals to unveil plans for constructing additional homes in cities are set to be revealed.
Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove have asserted that the government will achieve its goal of building one million new homes during this parliament, with a focus on urban areas to preserve the countryside. However, developers have expressed dissatisfaction, stating that more decisive action is necessary to address the ‘housing crisis’ effectively.
Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, is set to unveil plans aimed at “unblocking the planning system” and promoting city development without compromising the rural landscape. The government maintains its commitment to building 300,000 new homes annually by the mid-2020s, despite concerns raised by a former Conservative housing minister last year.
The proposed measures include establishing government-sponsored development corporations with the power to acquire land through compulsory purchase orders and sell plots to developers. A specialised team of planners and experts will also be deployed to work on expansion plans, and a “Planning Skills Delivery Fund” will be launched to address backlogs and enhance skills in the sector. Additionally, higher fees will be imposed on developers to improve planning services. Flexibility to convert shops, takeaways, and betting shops into homes, along with streamlined processes to convert barns and re-purpose farm buildings, are also part of the plan.
While the government’s proposals have been criticised by local authorities, who emphasise the importance of formal planning applications for property conversions, the Levelling Up Committee believes the government is on track to deliver one million new homes during this parliament. However, doubts have yet to be raised by industry sources about achieving the ambitious target, as pollution rules enforced by Natural England have impacted planning permissions.
In response, Michael Gove stressed the need to balance building homes and safeguarding the environment. He emphasised the importance of involving communities in the development process.
Labour’s shadow housing secretary, Lisa Nandy, accused the Conservatives of failing to deliver enough new homes during their tenure in government, pointing out that house building is projected to reach its lowest rate since World War II.