#BuildOurWayOut
I was interested to read Shelter's Building Our Way Out report and the New Homes Rescue Fund.
The report raises many important points about our economic recovery, challenges faced by tenants and the need for further investment in housebuilding across the country. I recognise the multiple difficulties that the current pandemic presents, especially when there is still much uncertainty over what further temporary measures may be needed to keep people safe and protect livelihoods.
The lockdown has been a hard time for many, especially those that have been shielding throughout the pandemic to stay safe. The six-month eviction moratorium has helped protect thousands of households in their homes, while the new six-month eviction notice period will provide further stability over the winter months. I realise the stress that restrictions have placed on individuals and families, and I hope we can get to a point where people can fully resume their lives in a safe way.
I believe we should be building more homes of all tenures, including affordable homes and social housing. Only then can we fix the housing market and ensure there are enough homes for people to live. You may be interested to know that this year's Budget made the single largest investment toward affordable housing in a decade. The new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme is expected to deliver 180,000 homes in the coming years, helping to make sure homes are both available and affordable.
I do not believe that the duration of this programme should be shortened at this time, as this could put at risk thousands of homes that have seen construction delayed and disrupted by the pandemic. This is the reason why the current programme was extended by another year to ensure affordable homes are built and not lost.
At this time of difficulty for so many, it is important to consider all options to aid our national recovery and support those most vulnerable.
Protect Greenbelt in Planning Reform
Our planning system needs to work for those who use it to make sure new homes, businesses and vital infrastructure are not held back by outdated, complicated and time-consuming bureaucracy. It takes an average of five years for an application for residential development to go through the planning system before building can even begin. This cannot be right for our communities who want homes to live in, places to work, and schools and hospitals built.
This is why I welcome that radical and necessary reforms are being brought in to cut arbitrary red tape while maintaining standards and protecting our Green Belt and greenfield sites. Under the new proposals and through local democratic agreement, land will be designated under the categories of growth, renewal or protection. Every area will also need to have a local plan in place for building more homes, helping local communities drive change and decide what gets built and where. Local housing plans should be developed and agreed in 30 months, rather than the seven years it often takes. A fast-track system for beautiful homes will also be created and new streets are to be lined with trees, helping make and keep places beautiful.
Land designated for growth will allow new homes, schools, shops and hospitals to be permitted as long as they meet local design and quality standards. Renewal areas will be provided with a 'permission in principle' approach subject to checks and balances with an emphasis on high quality that meets design standards. Our heritage sites and green spaces will continue to be protected and preserved for the enjoyment of local communities and future generations, with development taking place on brownfield sites.
I also welcome that the new rule-based planning system will make the best use of technology to increase transparency and accessibility and save taxpayer money being spent on outdated procedures. A new and simpler national levy will replace developer contributions, which are often the source of major delays, and allow more funds to be raised for social infrastructure to the benefit of communities. The reforms will also make the construction sector more efficient, helping small and medium sized house builders compete with large developers. I have also been assured that key workers, local people and first-time buyers will be front and centre in the First Homes scheme, which will provide a 30 per cent discount on the purchase of a home. The consultation on planning for the future has been launched and is now open to views from the public, businesses and local government.
It is encouraging that the new proposals will once again make our planning system work for our communities and create much needed new jobs in construction. All new homes will need to be zero carbon ready, which will deliver on our net carbon zero commitment, improve on environmental and energy standards and avoid the need for retrofitting.
I am confident that the reforms will deliver beautiful homes people want to live in, places people want to work and protect areas we as a nation need to safeguard for our children and posterity.
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