Sector welcomes updated NPPF, but calls for further measures to tackle social housing need

Megan Hinch, senior policy and practice lead on planning at the Chartered Institute of Housing, welcomed the reforms but said “significant investment” is also needed.

 

“Coupled with the prime minister’s recent announcements on infrastructure development and housebuilding, these measures can help create healthy, sustainable communities,” she said.

 

“The additional £100m for council planning officers is a positive step, acknowledging the financial struggles of many local authorities.

 

“However, planning reform alone won’t solve the housing crisis. We also need significant investment in the Spending Review to help the sector meet the government’s 1.5 million-homes target.”

 

The government is expected to publish a 10-year housing strategy as part of the upcoming Spring Spending Review. 

 

Fiona Fletcher-Smith, chair of the G15 and chief executive of L&Q, called the proposed changes to the NPPF a “good start”, but said these will not solve the housing crisis without a long-term funding commitment from the government.

 

She said: “We need a decade-long rent settlement, equal access to the Building Safety Fund, and a rent convergence mechanism.

 

“Without these measures, no amount of planning reform will deliver the affordable homes that London or the rest of the UK desperately need.”

 

Ian McDermott, chief executive of Peabody, welcomed the government’s “fast action” on reforming the NPPF and its commitment to remove barriers that currently hinder the delivery of new homes.

 

However, he said “a package of measures” is required to help rebuild stability and financial capacity in councils and housing associations.

 

Mr McDermott said: “Like the Budget, it’s a step in the right direction in terms of housing. We support ambitious targets, and London’s not-for-profit housing associations already work closely with councils to try and meet housing need. We’ll continue to do all we can to support them in meeting their targets in the capital.

 

“But if the government is going to scale up the delivery of new social housing where it’s most needed, we need a package of measures to help rebuild stability and financial capacity in councils and housing associations.”

 

Nicholas Harris, chief executive of Stonewater, said that the updates to the NPPF are a “positive step”, but “they are just one part of the solution to the housing crisis” with the sector awaiting clarity on future funding.

 

“Streamlining the planning process through a zonal system with agreed local plans and identified housing needs would speed up the process and enable more efficient public engagement,” he said.

 

“Our projects can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to have a decision made, with one recent scheme taking more than two years to receive approval. By taking these steps, the government can help to deliver more affordable homes and address the housing crisis.”

 

Mr Harris said that while the government’s commitment to homebuilding targets is encouraging, funding remains a critical issue for the affordable housing sector.

 

He added: “To address this, we urge the government to clarify future funding programmes as soon as possible. This will enable the sector to plan effectively and provide confidence to the supply chain.

 

“Additionally, implementing a rolling five-year rent settlement would allow housing associations to implement long-term business plans and ensure financial stability.”

Dinny Shaw, head of planning at Places for People, said the new NPPF is “the seismic change” needed in planning and demonstrates that the government is listening to the sector.

 

But she added that the “right people with the right skills” are needed in local planning departments.

 

“The right framework is essential, and the implementation of the grey belt definition is to be applauded, to help bring more sites into scope,” Ms Shaw said.

 

“But new definitions and a brownfield-first approach alone won’t help us meet the government’s self-proclaimed ambitious targets. Now we need the right people with the right skills in local planning departments to turn these rules into more planning permissions so we can get these homes so urgently needed built.”  

 

Elizabeth Froude, chief executive of Platform Housing Group, said she is “heartened” that dealing with the housing crisis is such a key priority for the government.

 

However, she said that “unfortunately” there has been no mention of setting any increased need for more affordable housing on green belt land.

 

“This is clearly very disappointing for housing associations as it will prevent increased levels of new affordable homes being built,” Ms Froude said.

 

“There was also no acknowledgement of the need to support the skills agenda in the construction industry; nurturing and developing homegrown skills is an absolutely critical part of our ability to keep on building for the long term.”

 

Mark Washer, chief executive of Sovereign Network Group, said the changes are “hugely welcome”, adding that the government must also support builders to meet the milestone of delivering 1.5 million homes.

 

He said: “We share the government’s drive to succeed, so ministers must continue to listen to concerns about blockers, commit to stability alongside the additional resources we need to build, and enable continued focus on long-term investment in our existing customers’ homes.”

 

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said the updated NPPF will help with the industry’s confidence to build more homes of all tenures, including build-to-rent and affordable homes.

 

But she added that the new framework must integrate with other emerging frameworks, such as the industrial strategy and the national infrastructure plan to enhance economic growth.

 

Ms Leech said: “That we need to deliver housing is beyond doubt, but those homes and the communities require critical infrastructure, including logistics, and jobs to be economically sustainable. We urge that these revised housing targets align with employment space targets to create places where people can live and work.

 

“Going forward, government should build on this positive start by addressing other causes of subdued delivery rates, such as viability challenges, weaker than expected economic sentiment and market demand, and construction sector capacity.”

 

Neil Jefferson, chief executive at the Home Builders Federation, said “the swift moves” to address the constraints in the planning system are welcome and underline the government’s commitment to increasing housing delivery.

 

However, he added that “further policy interventions are needed if we are to meet the ambitious target”.

 

“If government can create a climate within which the industry can deliver it will do so, providing high-quality new homes, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, and boosting economies and communities across the country,” Mr Jefferson said.