Industry backs critical MPs report into Government’s housebuilding programme

The cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee report into the Government’s housebuilding strategy has been welcomed by the industry.

MPs say it is difficult to see how the Government will achieve its target of 300,000 new homes per year by the mid-2020s in England if mandatory local housing targets are dropped

The report examines Government's planning reform proposals and finds that Government has failed to provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate how the policy to scrap mandatory housing targets will lead to more homebuilding in England.

Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman at the Home Builders Federation (HBF) says: "The report confirms that the Government's capitulation to the Conservative’s NIMBY wing for short term political reasons would have a devastating impact on housing supply.

"The planning system has to be robust and ensure that Local Authorities are abiding by their responsibilities and planning for the homes their communities need. The proposed weakening of housing targets has already seen 58 Local Authorities pause or withdraw their housing plans, throwing the whole house building process into chaos.

"The anti-development approach of ministers could see housing supply halve, which would have devastating social implications, cut GDP by £20bn and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs."

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President Simon Allford said the Committee’s findings echo its own concerns and those of the wider sector.

“The Government’s current proposals risk blocking the new homes we desperately need to build,” he continued.

“Reforms to planning policy must ensure the delivery of high-quality, affordable homes in the places people need them most, supported by the necessary amenities and infrastructure - we need to build on the long history of successful existing communities. As the report acknowledges, this requires comprehensively resourced and appropriately skilled planning departments, that incorporate and recognise qualified design expertise.

“The housing crisis will only be solved by listening to the shared concerns of the design and construction industry. We are happy to be challenged, but the Government must consider the recommendations and take steps to address our concerns. We look forward to working in support, to improve our planning system for the better.”