Tag: Housing and Communities

The press release issued by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 27 November 2024.

Billions of pounds in guarantees for housebuilders are now open for business as part of a new support package confirmed by the Housing Minister today.

• Over 20,000 new homes through vital support for SME housebuilders and the Build-to-Rent sector.
• Existing schemes to receive £3 billion more in government support to help deliver 1.5 million homes.
• Builds on £5 billion investment in housing for next year.

Billions of pounds in guarantees for housebuilders are now open for business as part of a new support package confirmed by the Housing Minister today.

As announced at the Budget, an additional £3 billion in housing guarantees will be available to help builders apply for more accessible loans from banks and lenders, giving them the confidence they need to get Britain building again.

Government guarantees reduce risk for lenders and encourages them to increase the supply of credit for housebuilders. Housebuilder’s access to credit is a key constraint on growth in the sector, so guaranteeing more lending encourages more housebuilding.

Thousands of new homes will be delivered across the country because of the government’s latest invention, which will see more families onto the property ladder, boost economic growth and create jobs, and support the ambition to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

This includes doubling the ENABLE Build scheme to £2 billion so smaller housebuilders and firms can support the delivery of over 10,000 new homes, including more student accommodation and specialised housing for older people, in areas most in need.

Build-to-Rent developers will also see the Private Rented Sector Guarantee Scheme reopen at the end of the year, with nearly £2 billion available to ramp up housebuilding. A broader variety of projects will be eligible to access additional lending, so more housing projects can be completed without unnecessary delays.

Based on the performance of the schemes so far, the government estimates that the increase in guarantees would support over 20,000 more homes.

Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:

“SME housebuilders and Build to Rent operators have a crucial role to play in delivering the government’s target of 1.5 million new homes in this parliament.

“The significant additional support provided by our housing guarantee schemes will enable them to access low-cost loans and support the building of thousands of new homes across the country”.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said:

“SME house builders have a crucial role to play in helping to deliver the Government’s ambitious target to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years. In recent years, small house builders have faced a particularly difficult set of financial challenges. Diversification of the UK’s housing market is essential to deliver the number of homes needed.

“Today’s Government announcement providing greater support for small housebuilders is welcome news. For the Government’s plans to succeed, it will be crucial that this lending is available for those small house builders who need it most and can build the homes this country needs.”

Louis Taylor, CEO, British Business Bank said:

“We welcome this £1bn expansion of the Bank’s ENABLE Build programme by the government. Unlocking finance for smaller housebuilders is more important than ever, not just to help build homes across the UK’s Nations and regions and provide people with security, but also to stimulate much-needed growth for the UK economy. Combined with the ENABLE Build programme’s recent expansion to include provision to non-bank lenders, this means that the sector will benefit from both an increased volume and choice of finance.”

Richard Green, Partner at Venn Partners said:

“Build-to-rent can play a key role in the UK’s private rented sector, delivering high quality, well managed homes funded by institutional investors. Venn looks forward to continuing to support the sector with attractive loans from the PRS Guarantee Scheme”.

To accelerate housing development and achieve the ambition to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, the government has already:

• Announced an overhaul of the planning system through a consultation on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, including new mandatory housebuilding targets for councils:
• Launched a New Homes Accelerator group to unblock thousands of new homes stuck in the planning system or partially built.
• Introduced ‘brownfield passports’ to ensure where planning proposals meet design and quality standards, the default answer to planning permission is yes:
• Set up an independent New Towns Taskforce, as part of a long-term vision to create largescale communities of at least 10,000 new homes each:
• Awarded £68 million to 54 local councils to unlock housing on brownfield sites:
• Awarded £47 million to seven councils to unlock homes stalled by nutrient neutrality rules.

The press release issued by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 13 November 2024.

The Office for Place will be closed down and the expertise of its staff redeployed within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government across the country, where support for design and placemaking will continue.

The decision was announced through a Written Ministerial Statement on 12 November 2024.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 October 2024.

Our expert and independent New Towns Taskforce, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, met today (1 October 2024) in Cambridge.

Taskforce members took the opportunity to explore the ongoing work in Cambridge and learn lessons from the city. The Taskforce heard from key players in the city, including officials from the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service and other officials from across the Greater Cambridge area. Greater Cambridge has a vital role in kickstarting economic growth across the country, and the Taskforce heard about award-winning developments in the local area plus the work to overcome key challenges, including water scarcity, to support future sustainable growth.

The Taskforce also discussed key workstreams related to the new towns programme, including developing its spatial mapping work.

Visits by the New Towns Taskforce are focused on learning lessons from places that are already delivering housing at scale. The Taskforce will present a final shortlist of recommendations on appropriate locations to ministers within the next year. No decisions have yet been made on the location of any new towns.

The meeting today comes 2 weeks after the Taskforce held their inaugural meeting in Milton Keynes on 17 September. Taskforce members have met again within the fortnight to continue their mission to address the national housing demand and to help boost economic growth, as outlined to the group by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Minister last month.

The Taskforce will meet again in early November.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 30 September 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has kickstarted a new “partnership approach” to working with London Mayor Sadiq Khan to boost housebuilding in the capital.

A review of the London Plan for housing ordered by the last government has been withdrawn by the Deputy Prime Minister to kickstart a new “partnership approach” aimed at boosting housebuilding in the capital.

In March, the previous Secretary of State directed London Mayor Sadiq Khan to partially review parts of the London Plan – which sets out the strategy as to how the city will develop and grow.

The Deputy Prime Minister has now withdrawn that mandated review, but has also set out that action is needed to deliver the homes London needs.

In a letter to the Mayor, the Deputy Prime Minister said she recognises the issues London faces and will work with the mayor to ensure he takes all possible steps to boost housing delivery and deliver the homes London needs. Withdrawing the direction will allow the government and Greater London Authority to take “a new partnership approach” to tackle the housing crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

I know Mayor Sadiq Khan shares my commitment to tackle the housing crisis and boost economic growth to deliver real opportunities for Londoners.

Our new approach will take more fundamental action and focus on a partnership approach to build the housing that London needs and unlock the city’s economic potential.

Under proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, London needs to build around 80,000 new homes per year – a record and ambitious number for the city at over double the current average number of homes built a year in the capital.

The government and the Mayor are committed to working together to take all possible steps to deliver these homes, including through proposed changes to housing targets and other reforms to the planning system.

In addition to this, the New Homes Accelerator will see the Ministry of Housing work with Homes England to further speed up housing delivery, and money will also be available for London through the £150 million Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund.

This is part of a wider push to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years by overhauling the planning system and restoring mandatory local housing targets across the country.

The press release issued by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 24 September 2024.

UK Armed Forces Veterans to be given better access to social housing.

All UK Armed Forces Veterans will be exempt from rules which require a connection to a local area before accessing social housing. This is in line with the manifesto commitment to strengthen support for our Armed Forces communities and to ensure veterans have access to the housing support they need.

Whilst not mandatory, the vast majority of councils (89%) have a local connection or residency test in place to determine who can qualify for social housing. These changes will mean that where such requirements are in place, veterans are not unfairly penalised.

Other groups who can have difficulty demonstrating a local connection – care leavers and domestic abuse victims – will also be exempt from the rule. This delivers on the commitment in the response to the consultation on social housing allocations, published earlier this month, to support the most vulnerable to access social housing.

The government is writing to councils to remind them they should prioritise veterans, care leavers and domestic abuse survivors for social housing. Regulations will be brought forward in due course, with Ministers hosting roundtables with the sector to explore the detail of these changes.

Already the government has given councils more flexibility to use their Right to Buy receipts to build and buy more social homes and allocated an additional £450 million for councils to secure homes for families at risk of homelessness.

Further plans will be set out at the next fiscal event to give councils and housing associations the rent stability they need to be able to borrow and invest in both new and existing homes.

The press release issued by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 22 September 2024.

The government will consult on a new Decent Homes Standard for the rented sectors.

• Government to consult on a new Decent Homes Standard for the rented sectors
• Awaab’s Law legislation for the social rented sector will be brought forward this autumn, and protections will be extended to private rented sector through Renters Rights Bill
• Introducing new access to information requirements for housing associations so tenants can access the information they need to hold their landlords to account

The government will consult on a new Decent Homes Standard for the rented sectors.

The consultation, which will launch as soon as possible, will look to ensure safe, secure housing is the standard people can expect in both social housing and private rented properties.

The government will also bring forward legislation for Awaab’s Law in the social rented sector this autumn, so hazards such as damp and mould must be investigated and remedied to set timescales. Implementing this legislation for social housing and extending protections to the private rented sector will support tenants to secure faster repairs, reducing health and safety risks.

Alongside this we will introduce new access to information requirements for housing associations, to enable tenants from the 2.5 million households managed by housing associations to hold their landlords to account and drive up the quality of the housing and services they provide.

We will also introduce a Competence and Conduct standard for the social rented sector that will ensure staff have the right skills, behaviours and experience to carry out the role they have in supporting often some of the most vulnerable in our society. The new standard, which will include qualification requirements for senior managers and executives, will help to raise standards across the sector, ensuring tenants receive a professional service and are treated with respect and dignity.

The government will bring forward further plans for high quality housebuilding through the revised National Planning Policy Framework this autumn, following the NPPF consultation which closes on 24 September.

The press release issued by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 22 September 2024.

The government is continuing to deliver devolution for all corners of the country, with a commitment to deliver full devolution across the North.

• Government will prioritise remaining Northern areas in the next wave of devolution deals
• Progression for deals covering Lancashire, Greater Lincolnshire, Hull and East Yorkshire and Devon and Torbay announced earlier this week will be prioritised
• Backing advanced manufacturing in the West Midlands and life sciences in West Yorkshire by releasing this year’s funding for the Mayors’ Investment Zones

The government is continuing to deliver devolution for all corners of the country, with a commitment to deliver full devolution across the North.

The next wave of devolution deals will work to ensure the remaining areas in the region not yet benefitting from greater devolved powers are supported to deliver agreements that work for their communities.

The commitment confirmed today follows the government’s announcement earlier this week that four devolution agreements will progress in Hull and East Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire, Lancashire, and Devon and Torbay.

The government will also release this year’s funding for two Investment Zones, delivering high quality jobs and attracting private sector investment, focusing on advanced manufacturing in the West Midlands and life sciences in West Yorkshire.

Investment Zones have been established in a number of Combined Authorities in England, combining tax incentives and flexible funding for research and development, skills, business support, local infrastructure and planning.

Further government action to deliver devolution includes:

• The English Devolution Bill announced in the King’s Speech;
• Establishing the Council of the Nations and Regions, with more details to be announced in due course;
• Asking existing mayors to develop Local Growth Plans for their areas to help drive regional growth. Greater Manchester, one of the places where devolution has existed for the longest and the powers are deepest, has been one of the UK’s fastest growing areas over the last 20 years, and is forecast to grow by more than the national average in coming years; and
• The devolution agreements announced this week means that over 60% of the country will be covered by a devolution deal.

The press release issued by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 22 September 2024.

As part of its brownfield first approach to development, the government has announced plans to support and expedite approval of urban sites, such as car parks.

• Call for evidence to look at how to accelerate building in urban areas.
• Part of the government’s brownfield first approach to deliver the homes in the areas people need.
• Sits alongside plans to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament.

As part of its brownfield first approach to development, the government has announced plans to support and expedite approval of urban sites, such as car parks.

As signalled in the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, the government is taking further steps toward the introduction of an effective ‘brownfield passport’ to ensure where proposals meet design and quality standards, the default answer is yes.

A call for evidence will be launched on options to further increase certainty in relation to brownfield development. These will include bold proposals that provide far greater clarity as to the principle, scale, and form of brownfield development with a view to lowering the risk, cost and uncertainty associated with securing planning permissions.

The options will then be discussed with key stakeholders, before specific proposals are consulted on, and any new policies implemented.

As part of its ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament, the Government has already taken steps to deliver on its brownfield first approach through the NPPF consultation, setting out changes to clarify brownfield development is acceptable in principle. The consultation closes on 24 September.

The press release issued by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 21 September 2024.

Step forward in government’s drive to hand more power from Westminster to local people with skin in the game.

Four areas will receive more power from Westminster in the latest step in the government’s devolution revolution, which will deliver real change by boosting economic growth across the country.

The government has today (19) signed off on agreements for regional mayors in Greater Lincolnshire and in Hull & East Yorkshire, and to establish combined county authorities in both Devon & Torbay and Lancashire.

The agreements signed today will mean local leaders have the power to make decisions in areas such as transport, adult education, and housing, boosting economic growth and opportunity, which are at the heart of the government’s agenda.

Mayors will be elected in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull & East Yorkshire – the last part of Yorkshire to be covered by a devolution deal – in May 2025 and will have control over transport, housing, skills, and investment to shape the future of their area.

For Devon & Torbay and Lancashire, combined county authorities will be established in early 2025 handed the responsibility for adult education. Ministers are encouraging local leaders to deepen these devolution deals and take strides towards mayoral devolution as a gold standard.

Subject to parliamentary approval and local consent, the devolution agreements will mean local leaders can make decisions that benefit their communities and harness the unique opportunities of their areas.

Devolution is central to the government’s mission to economic growth, but only around half of the people in England currently benefit from these arrangements. The Deputy Prime Minister wants every area to have the opportunity to benefit from new powers.

At the heart of the government’s drive to shift powers away from Westminster is the flagship English Devolution Bill, which will be introduced to give new powers to mayors and combined authorities – and roll out Local Growth Plans designed to maximise opportunities for growth.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

“This is only the first step of our major ambition to drive forward our devolution revolution, and ensure we empower more communities and strengthen the existing powers of our brilliant mayors.”

The government is also minded to progress with the four non-mayoral ‘Level 2’ Single Local Authority devolution agreements with Cornwall Council, Buckinghamshire Council, Warwickshire County Council, and Surrey County Council, subject to further statutory tests being met. These agreements are an important step for places to see early benefits from devolution in the short-term. However, in making this downpayment in good faith, the government is encouraging these areas to continue working to explore the next steps towards deeper and wider devolution.

Today’s announcement comes after the Deputy Prime Minister’s letter inviting councils to share proposals for new devolution agreements over sensible geographies. The letter kickstarted the devolution revolution and the government expects more deals to be announced in the months to come.

The government strongly believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined institutions with a directly elected leader. Mayors should have a unique role in an institution which allows them to focus fully on their devolved strategic responsibilities, working hand in glove with council leaders who will vitally also focus on the delivery of the essential services for which they are responsible. Conflating these two responsibilities into the same individual and institution, as is the case under the mayoral Single Local Authority model of devolution, would risk the optimal delivery of both and is not in line with the government’s approach to English devolution.

The government will therefore not proceed with the mayoral deals with Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council agreed with the previous government in December 2022 and instead intends to continue discussions over devolution in Norfolk & Suffolk.

The government will publish further detail on our approach to devolution in due course.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 17 September 2024.

The New Towns Taskforce held its first meeting and confirmed the final list of members as it pushed ahead to identify potential sites for new towns.