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Details for the house building sector have been set out. The Labour Party's election manifesto includes plans to build 1.5 million new homes in England by the next general election through relaxing planning restrictions. In 2023, 158,200 new housing units were completed in England and 189,270 across the UK. To achieve the target by 2029, output needs to nearly double to 300,000 units annually. The government aims to introduce a universal strategic planning system, underpinned by legislation, to plan for growth on a larger scale across England. Thirty-three major house-building companies have expressed support for the government's reforms, although not always in complete alignment with the details. In contrast, representatives of small and medium-sized house-building companies provided more candid feedback, unaffected by state influences. Full article: [https://lnkd.in/gE5i8NET] The Construction Index Ltd

It is time for Labour’s plan for planning to be put into action, but what can we expect to be at the top of the planning agenda? With announcements expected within days, we summarise Labour's planning priorities before also taking a look at other measures Labour could consider beyond the next 100 day to meet their planning objectives. Will Labour be the party for "the builders, not the blockers"? Watch this space. #planning #nppf #writtenministerialstatements #development #housebuilding #planningreform

According to YouGov, six in ten Britons support new housebuilding, with a slim majority supporting it in their local area (https://lnkd.in/eWEaDfnu). Labour's proposed planning reforms receive mixed public reactions. While a majority (62%) support increased housebuilding and a target of 1.5 million new homes over five years, support falls to 52% for local developments, which is still the majority. There is notable opposition (48%) to giving ministers the power to overrule local councils on planning decisions. Building on 'greenbelt' land faces significant resistance, with 67% opposing it. As we wrote about earlier in the week, this contrasts with people's view on low-quality greenbelt land where 57% of Brits support releasing such areas for development (https://lnkd.in/eefEbp-y). Ending the ban on new onshore wind farms is popular, with 60% support. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the public generally prefers broad housing policies with opposition rising over specific local implementations. #labour #housingreform #housingcrisis #greenbelt #unchainedfriday #unchainedsocial

The Labour Party has outlined five core principles dubbed as 'golden rules' for housebuilding ahead of the upcoming general election. These rules aim to govern the construction of affordable housing while safeguarding natural green areas and mitigating strains on public services and infrastructure. The first rule emphasizes the prioritisation of developing brownfield sites within the green belt for construction purposes. Secondly, Labour proposes prioritizing the development of areas within the green belt that are of poor quality or aesthetically unappealing, rather than encroaching upon nature-rich and environmentally significant lands. #cognisantsearch

What will the new government mean for housebuilding? The newly appointed Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has announced Labour's plans to 'get Britain building', actions include: - reinstating compulsory housebuilding targets for local councils (1.5 million in the next five years) - reforming the National Planning Policy Framework - creation of a taskforce to accelerate stalled housing sites - employment of an additional 300 planning officers Whilst the points above are only a brief summary of what was mentioned, it looks like there will be some changes ahead for the house building industry! https://buff.ly/3SmJtHF #constructionindustry #environmentalconsulting #housebuilding

"Our many interviews with company bosses as part of our Election Focus coverage reveal a real sense of frustration that under the current government construction’s prospects have stalled or gone into reverse." "A contractor boss I spoke to was perhaps more positive about Labour under Keir Starmer’s leadership. As a rule, main contractors do not normally declare allegiance to a political side, it is just not great business: if you back the winner they can take you for granted, and if the other lot get in you’ve perhaps lost potential friends. So instead there has been work behind the scenes for over a year on the part of some firms to get close to key Labour players, and the ones that have impressed most are in Rachel Reeves’ shadow Treasury team." #construction #electionfocus In Building Magazine, Chloe McCulloch, discusses how construction professionals are leaning towards Labour policy ideas, looks back on our past election focus coverage and looks into industry leaders' policy concerns for the built environment as well as their thoughts on what a Labour government could mean for the industry. https://lnkd.in/ejjZdCg9

Labour’s Landslide Win Expected to Impact Construction Industry and Economic Growth The Labour Party’s landslide victory in the 2024 General Election indicates a significant shift in the political landscape, with several key implications for the construction industry. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eCi_t-MM #scottishbusinessnews #Election2024 #construction #economicgrowth #Unionmedia

How do the Conservative and Labour manifestos compare when it comes to planning? Of Counsel Daniel Farrand details the two approaches to housing delivery and infrastructure:

How do the Conservative and Labour manifestos compare when it comes to planning? Of Counsel Daniel Farrand details the two approaches to housing delivery and infrastructure:

How do the Conservative and Labour manifestos compare when it comes to planning? Of Counsel Daniel Farrand details the two approaches to housing delivery and infrastructure: