In response to the UK Government’s latest housing strategy, as outlined by Michael Gove, the levelling up, housing and communities secretary, Propertymark has called for an infrastructure-first approach to effectively meet the nation’s housing needs.
The strategy, presented today (19th December 2023), aims to expedite the planning process and enhance housing development across the UK.
Gove’s speech included a warning to underperforming councils, with the announcement of interventions from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
He also introduced league tables to track local authorities’ progress in meeting their housebuilding targets.
Additionally, seven local authorities, identified as particularly deficient in their housing plans since 2004, will receive direct instructions to improve.
Aiding this effort, the Government has allocated £40m to support 180 local authorities in boosting their housebuilding.
Gove’s strategy focuses on five key areas: beauty, infrastructure, democracy, the environment, and neighbourhood.
Furthermore, the Government is set to review statutory consultees’ roles in the planning process and reassess London’s housing scheme to increase property development in the city.
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, commented on the Government’s approach, saying: “A renewed focus on councils having local plans and more pressure to deliver much needed new homes for people to rent and buy will be welcomed by Propertymark members up and down the country.
“However, often local plans don’t deliver for existing residents and fail to deliver improved transport links, schools and medical centres as well as focus enough on building housing for an ageing population and homes that are net zero.
“An infrastructure first approach is needed, alongside providing more resources to local authorities, to deliver the UK Government’s reforms and build homes that the country desperately needs and communities where people want to live and work.”
