Labour’s proposed planning reforms offer the best hope to build the homes we need, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
The Labour Party announced in its manifesto today [13 June] that it aims to build 1.5 million homes within the next parliament in efforts to “get Britain building again”.
>>Read about the Conservative Party’s manifesto here.
The party said it would immediately update the National Policy Planning Framework to undo Conservative changes, including restoring mandatory housing targets.
They will also ensure that planning authorities have up-to-date Local Plans and reform and strengthen the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
The manifesto stated: “Labour will support local authorities by funding additional planning officers, through increasing the rate of the stamp duty surcharge paid by non-UK residents. We will ensure local communities continue to shape housebuilding in their area, but where necessary Labour will not be afraid to make full use of intervention powers to build the houses we need.”
Labour will also take a “brownfield first approach” but notes that brownfield development alone will not be enough to meet the country’s housing need.
The party said it will take a more strategic approach to greenbelt land designation and release to build more homes in the right places. The release of lower quality ‘grey belt’ land will be prioritised and they will introduce ‘golden rules’ to ensure development benefits communities and nature.
>>Read more about Labour’s grey belt proposals here.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, commented: “The current housing crisis won’t be solved unless radical proposals to reform the planning system are put in place. The Labour Party Manifesto contains several exciting proposals, which offer hope for the future of the building industry. The plans to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, and the pledge to impose binding house building targets on local councils, are welcome news. Labour’s ‘Grey Belt’ proposals, which sit alongside their Golden Rules for development, offer real hope for seeing small sites for new homes unlocked.”
He continued: “Planning reform is a key issue which the FMB has long campaigned for. Earlier this year the FMB launched its own Manifesto, Growth from the ground up, which called on the UK’s political parties to ensure that the National Planning Policy Framework is enforced at the local level, and to see additional funding for local authority planning officers. It is encouraging that the Labour Party have taken these calls on board.
“Proposals to establish ‘Skills England’ offer hope to tackle the current skills crisis in the building industry. Pledges to boost apprenticeship numbers as well as Labour’s Warm Home Plan will be a major boost to rolling out retrofitting of homes across Britain. There is, however, potential to go further with the creation a dedicated Housing Department and a Secretary of State for Housing who can attend Cabinet meetings.”
