Homes England plans renewed focus on regeneration

Another stated Homes England objective is to “support the creation of vibrant and successful places that people can be proud of, working with local leaders and other partners to deliver housing-led, mixed-use regeneration with a brownfield-first approach”.

Within this, it said that it aims to deliver more land reused and made available for regeneration ­as well as key enabling infrastructure to unlock development. Homes England said ­it also wants to deliver mixed-use places that create value and benefit local communities and to ensure local places are effectively supported to deliver on their regeneration ambitions.

As complex regeneration schemes are long-term projects, Homes England said it was moving quickly to identify projects that can start to be delivered in the next five years.

It will support housing-led regeneration projects and mixed-use regeneration that delivers housing alongside employment, retail and leisure space.

In addition, it will work closely with local authorities, other government departments and the private sector as partners to deliver change.

Homes England will be willing to intervene directly, exercising the use of its statutory powers to champion both national and local interests. It will also support regeneration across England by brokering and securing new private sector investment through new partnerships.

Peter Denton, chief executive of Homes England, and Peter Freeman, chair, said: “We are now proud to go beyond our housing work to fully support the government’s broader levelling-up agenda and increased focus on pride in place.

“The government’s Levelling Up White Paper makes a clear and compelling case to work with places in a more joined-up way – to tackle housing and regeneration problems head-on. And this is what we plan to do.

“It is now time to return to our roots and for the agency to fulfil its role as set out in the 2008 Housing & Regeneration Act under which we were established.

“This means we will not only help deliver the homes the country needs, but we will also work with partners to support the creation, regeneration, development and continued well-being of communities in England. This will bring confidence, pleasure and pride back to our towns, cities and rural communities.”

Mr Denton and Mr Freeman said Homes England’s renewed and expanded mission is even more important as the UK responds to “more challenging” economic times.

They said: “As such, in order to deliver on this plan’s mission and objectives, we are committed to using all of our tools to ensure that new homes continue to be built and communities continue to be supported, to deliver their long-term plans for regeneration and renewal.”

Elsewhere, Homes England also has the objective to “facilitate the creation of the homes people need, intervening where necessary, to ensure places have enough homes of the right type and tenure”.

The agency said that it will invest in and deliver infrastructure to unlock land and provide opportunities for housing, including working with government departments and other agencies to unlock public sector land.

Through the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26, it will provide grant funding to registered providers of social housing and local authorities to help them build new homes.

Homes England said it will help to increase the amount of private investment in the affordable housing sector, brokering new partnerships, working with ambitious registered providers that wish to further expand and supporting smaller providers and new entrants.

Homes England also has the objective to “enable sustainable homes and places, maximising their positive contribution to the natural environment and minimising their environmental impact”.

Furthermore, it will also “promote the creation of high-quality homes in well-designed places that reflect community priorities by taking an inclusive and long-term approach”.

Matthew Waters, partner at Devonshires, who acts for investors, local authorities and registered providers, said the strategic plan represents a “fundamental change in focus” for Homes England. He said that investors, local authorities and registered providers will need to embrace this plan to make it work.

Mr Waters said: “It is an extremely ambitious plan, and with this ambition will come challenges on deliverability. With the focus on placemaking it absolutely makes sense that there is a greater involvement of local authorities; the challenge will be can the essential capacity be provided to enable the activity?

“For housing associations there are differing messages – opportunities for the larger and more ambitious; less of a focus and clear role for others. Some may be wondering where their place is. Additionally, it is a really positive direction for institutional investors.”