The East of England Local Government Association (EELGA), on behalf of its members, has responded to the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Consultation, stressing that while the region welcomes new housing where appropriate, there is a need for massive investment in housebuilding, planning, infrastructure and building standards to make sure these ambitious targets become a reality.
EELGA, in consultation with planners and councillors from across the East of England, has responded to the Government’s National Planning Policy Consultation. This consultation included changes to the planning system and the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets for local authorities.
Cllr Graham Butland, Chair of EELGA and Leader of Braintree District council, said “The need for housing in the East of England is clear – but these new targets will not be met unless there is investment in our existing system. Developers must work with both local and central Government to ensure that enough homes are built, and that these homes are solid, affordable and sustainable.”
More affordable housing in the East of England is critical. Housing in the region is much less affordable than the national average, and the lack of homes is partially driving an increase in homelessness, causing considerable human distress along with acute financial pressures on local authorities.
However, the targets put forward by the new administration are incredibly ambitious – housebuilding on the scale suggested has not been seen except for a short period of intense construction in the 1960s. Whilst councils in the East of England respect what the Government wants to achieve, these targets will not be hit unless then government commits to:
- Increased funding in enabling infrastructure – from building new roads to create more valid sites for development, to ensuring that public services can support new developments
- Massive investment in both private and public sector housebuilding, particularly into homes built for social value, and skills to train the next generation of housebuilders
- Ensure that planners, statutory consultees and the Planing Inspectorate are funded well enough to process applications as they arrive
- Champion sound and strong building codes for sustainability, along with comensurate powers of enforcement for local authorities.
EELGA and its members awaits the Government’s release of its long-term housing paper, and are interested in how it will assist local authorities build the homes the region needs.
For the full response, please read here.