Tamsin Harrison, MD of Heart Land Group, explores Philip Hammond’s planning control changes
As the dust settles on another budget, and the headlines and reaction give way to analysis, it’s time to start exploring the real implications of Mr Hammond’s announcements.
One of the announcements that caught my attention was the proposed support for planning reform. On the face of it the proposals, to free up additional green belt land to deal with the country’s clear housing crisis is perfectly sensible…But is there another way?
Instead of easing restrictions on undeveloped land (land banking issues aside…but that’s another post!) perhaps we should be looking at a more creative approach. Across the UK there are numerous housing sites that have fallen into states of dilapidation and decline; some with whole streets abandoned and some in such desperate states of repair that owners are selling them for as little as £1 if the new purchasers are prepared to complete the repair work themselves.
Would the better idea not be to invest in a serious and sustained period of redevelopment in these areas, with companies encouraged to bring abandoned areas back to life; areas which, despite everything, still benefit from stable, existing infrastructure such as roads, schools and amenities. Re-invigorating these areas with smarter, cost-effective and sustainable housing options can prove massively beneficial to residents, local authorities and businesses alike.
So, has the Chancellor got it all wrong?
Currently, at the other end of the scale, bespoke developers, looking to complete smaller-scale restorations or build a creative dwelling, one that is sensitive to its surroundings and capable of sustainability, face a raft of issues when going through the planning process.
By easing restrictions, we could see such projects granted a smoother transition, without becoming a free-for-all race to build.
Ultimately planning controls exist for a reason and changing the goalposts is never going to be an easy task but, when it comes to solving this particular puzzle, a little creativity and alternate thinking could go a long way.