We're supporting New Homes Accelerator initiative
Thursday, 29 August 2024
The government has today (29 August 2024) announced a new programme to increase the rate of housebuilding in the UK, which it has called the 'New Homes Accelerator.'
It says an "experienced team from the Ministry of Housing and Homes England will work across government and with local councils to accelerate the buildout of housing schemes delayed by planning and red tape to drive economic growth across every part of the country."
Councillor Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said:
It's encouraging to see a government eager to take action in its first 100 days, and delays with big housing sites are common occurrences. However, I would caution that slow delivery is caused by a range issues, the complex nature of co-ordinating vast numbers of factors which are often outside of the control of councils, and it will be interesting to see if this approach will be able to tackle all the issues which affect delivery.
Wherever this council needs to work in concert with developers, it will do so, and any help from the government, if needed, is welcome.
If the government wants to assist developers, and it's not going to cost much public money, and it's not going to be to the detriment of residents, arguably, it's not any of my business.
And I would caution the government that any kind of 'planning speed-up' should not risk proper controls over planning and remind the government that the planning process is just one factor in the delivery of new homes.
The planning process needs to work at an appropriate speed to allow the public to comment on what might happen, to influence decisions, and take an active part in the development of their community.
The government must work with local authorities to ensure appropriate infrastructure accompanies ALL new development. It's no good just building houses; we need the schools, parks, doctor surgeries, roads and public transport that will turn these from being housing estates into communities. We must also ensure this infrastructure benefits the existing communities and takes account of what THEY need now such as healthcare and leisure which is particularly noticeable in places like Biggleswade and Leighton Buzzard.
And with big developments, the government needs to think seriously about how to change the current system to provide the 'forward funding' which allows the infrastructure to be in place when the development is built, not years later.