Richard Greenwood’s Post

Following Rt Hon Rachel Reeves first major speech as Chancellor to the Treasury, here are some of the key take aways for the Housing sector. "Planning reform has become a byword for political timidity in the face of vested interests and is a graveyard of economic ambition" Key Points: 🔴 Building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament. 🔴 NPPF to be reviewed before end of month including return to mandatory housing targets. 🔴 A pledge to deliver the “biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation”. 🔴 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” 🔴 New task force to be created to unlock stalled housing sites (Liverpool central docks, Northstowe, etc) 🔴 300 additional planning officers across the country 🔴 Deputy prime minister to use powers to recover more appeals where economic interests are key (2 data centre appeals already recovered this weekend). 🔴 Letters to go to chief planning officers to ensure universal coverage of local plans, reviews of green belt boundaries (brownfield and grey-belt land to be key targets). 🔴 Reform of planning system to deliver infrastructure that country needs. 🔴 New policy intentions to be set out for critical infrastructures with National Policy Statements to be updated by end of year. 🔴 Take a brownfield first approach, prioritising the development of previously used land wherever possible, and fast-tracking approval of urban brownfield sites. 🔴 Introduce ‘golden rules’ for house building to ensure development benefits communities and nature. 🔴 Work with local authorities to give first-time buyers the first chance to buy homes and stop entire developments being sold off to international investors before houses are even built. Let's hope this reignites the sector and delivers the urgently needed Social & Affordable housing. Here's to hoping The Labour Party engage with sector leaders on how best to deliver these targets!

On the last day of parliament before summer recess, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner made bold announcements on the future of planning. Speaking in the House of Commons, Rayner has promised to “get Britain building again” with a “council housing revolution”, reminding her colleagues that 150,000 children currently live in temporary accommodation, and that homelessness is at record levels. 🏠 She confirmed that housing targets would once again be made mandatory and a new method to establishing these targets would be used, proportionate to the size of the community. The new homes planned for this year has now increased to 370,000 compared to a previous 300,000. 🏙️ And where to build these homes? Rayner focuses on current brownfield land, as well as releasing “grey belt” quality land, which now has a formal definition. Of all the land released, she announced that 50% of homes built must be affordable housing. 🚧 Alongside housing reforms, announcements were made for wider growth. Planning rules will be changed to promote more energy renewable projects, as well as encouraging projects such as laboratories and data centres. Ministerial powers will be deployed when needed. If you would like to know more about these announcements could affect your business, email us tomorrow@lowickgroup.com #Planning #Housing #AffordableHousing

Did you know that housing affects more than just where we live? It impacts mental health, stability, and community well being. The Plan for Housing campaign from the National Housing Federation highlights this in a powerful way. It calls for a long term, cross sector housing strategy to tackle issues that ripple through all aspects of life. As part of the work of the #APPG on Healthy Healths and Jade Lewis this is a reminder that stable, affordable housing plays a crucial role in people's well being. In construction operations at Equans UK & Ireland, I see how our projects influence this landscape. But the report makes it clear we need more collaborative action to promote sustainable living and support mental health. The idea of a shared vision for better housing is inspiring. It’s a call to action for leaders and professionals to come together and push for policies that make a real difference. What initiatives or ideas do you think could help achieve better housing and improved well being? #PlanForHousing #CommunityWellBeing #MentalHealthAwareness #Sustainability #Leadership

How can we build 1.5 million homes in the next parliament? Some practical solutions from Toby Lloyd 🏦 Ensure that committed money is spent 🏘️ Encourage diversity in householding Read more on our Red Brick blog https://lnkd.in/ed_HF_U8

🦶 The #AutumnBudget is a significant step in tackling the housing crisis 💰 But we need long-term, guaranteed funding 🛠️ And a greater focus on skills is essential These are the key messages from our CEO, Nick Atkin, in his latest Inside Housing blog. Read here ⬇️ https://ow.ly/XOGG50TWYMV

Kate Henderson's interview with martin hilditch in Inside Housing on our #PlanForHousing campaign. 🏘️ “I think bringing forward a housing strategy in the spring means there’s an opportunity to align it with the Spending Review, and the Spending Review will obviously set out the government’s big commitments over the course of this parliament. So, it makes sense to have the strategy sit hand-in-glove with that. But what we are really keen to see with this long-term strategy is for it to be truly long-term. So, while it makes sense to align with the Spending Review, we would like to be thinking about 10 years minimum, but ideally longer – 20 to 30 years. Actually thinking about the future of housing in this country.” 📰 https://lnkd.in/epC9JB8E

The deputy prime minister referenced changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, announced in July. This will see an increase in housing targets by around 50% and tougher local affordability assessments. In November at the Social Housing Annual Conference and Inside Housing Development and Regeneration Summit, we’ll discuss the barriers and solutions to building homes at scale across all tenures. #housingconference Hear strategies from VIVID (one of the top 3 builders for social rent*), Greater London Authority and Orbit Group. Plus, new ways of funding development from CHP, Great Places Housing Group, Irwell Valley Homes and Barratt London. Finally, hear post-budget economic analysis from Paul Johnson at the Institute of Fiscal Studies and what this means for housing market growth.  https://lnkd.in/ex6xhBf9

🏠💬 Curious how the District’s FY25 budget could affect affordable housing? From potential new policies to funding allocations, find out what changes might be coming your way. Click the link to dive deeper and stay informed! 📊✍️ 👉 https://nuel.ink/l26iau #AffordableHousing #FY25Budget #CommunityMatters

🏠💬 Curious how the District’s FY25 budget could affect affordable housing? From potential new policies to funding allocations, find out what changes might be coming your way. Click the link to dive deeper and stay informed! 📊✍️ 👉 https://nuel.ink/l26iau #AffordableHousing #FY25Budget #CommunityMatters

Today the Chancellor set out the new Government's ambition to reform planning. These reforms are very welcome, but many will take time to impact on the UK's housing stock. That's why Kane Emerson and John Myers have set out three 'fast wins' to get Britain building. 1️⃣ Learn from Haringey Council and let residents build up. Gentle density is beautiful and practical, allowing home-owners to use their space more efficiently, and providing housing where it is most needed. 2️⃣ Street votes empower communities to encourage densification and value creation. Schemes have been enormously successful in Vancouver, Seoul and Tel Aviv. 3️⃣ Estate renewal should be a top priority for the new government. Ambitious renewal plans can fund new council homes for every existing resident through cross-subsidy, a win-win for councils and communities. Our planning system requires radical reform. But in the meantime, gentle densification can make a real, immediate difference to the UK's housing crisis. Read the full briefing: https://lnkd.in/ep9SJX6k