Government Plans

The housing shortage is one of the most important issues at present and the Government has announced new bills to counteract the problem.

The Housing and Regeneration Bill and the Planning Reform Bill were mentioned, last week, in the Queens Speech.

The Housing and Regeneration Bill is aiming to increase social and affordable homes. The Planning Reform Bill is to speed up the planning process for big projects and a new authority will oversee major infrastructure projects.

There is a huge desperate need for houses and flats both for sale and rent as it is estimated that two million people are living in unsuitable accommodation. Plus at present young and older workers are unable to purchase a property because of the high prices.

There is a shortage of homes over the country so these new plans are welcome provided they do not just wildly build property with no thought to the area, suitability of land and communities.

The Government hopefully will have learnt from past mistakes and not build on flood plains or areas that are likely to flood due to the climate changes. Quality should also be assured unlike the unsustainable housing built hurriedly after World War II.

The talk of eco towns must take into consideration whether these will be attached to communities and near transport links not just built in the middle of nowhere as this would result in a useless exercise.

Green Belt land should be carefully considered before use, as turning it into mass housing estates will benefit no one. Brown land should be used only if it is an acceptable position where people will willingly want to live.

The Bills should be able to raise the number of new properties built a year to 240,000 that is what the country wants and needs.

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