Planning restrictions to be relaxed to meet 1 million new homes target

During a speech that laid out plans for the Government to meet its ambition of building one million new homes, Housing Secretary Michael Gove said that planning restrictions would be relaxed – especially to build homes in cities.

He added that it would also be made easier to convert empty betting shops and retail premises into houses and flats.

And there will be new laws for ‘liberating leaseholders’.

Mr Gove also referred in the speech to a ‘new deal for tenants and landlords’.

He said: “Through all of these interventions we recognise that a house is not just an asset to be traded but a home to be loved.

“Countries around the world have always recognised that thoughtful, focused, regulation is vital to ensure that everyone involved in the housing market benefits.

“That is why of course we have introduced legislation in the private rented sector to deliver a fairer deal for both landlords and tenants.”

‘Manifesto commitment to end ‘no fault’ evictions’

He added: “For tenants, we will implement our manifesto commitment to end ‘no fault’ evictions – protecting those currently afraid to ask their landlord for basic repairs, for fear of losing their home.

“And we will also help landlords deal with tenants who abuse their position – expanding landlords’ ability to evict anti-social tenants, or those who wilfully refuse to pay rent.

“And a new Ombudsman will provide quicker, cheaper redress, alongside reformed court processes which ensure landlords can get their properties back quickly when they need them back.”

‘Changes to the private rented sector in England’

Propertymark’s chief executive, Nathan Emerson, said: “Changes to the private rented sector in England have been long awaited and it is positive to hear that the UK Government is looking to ensure that good landlords and agents are supported in these proposals.

“The private rented sector is crucial to a well-functioning housing market so a whole-scale long-term plan involving tax reform and clarity on energy efficiency targets is needed to address the imbalance in high demand and low housing supply and incentivise investment for property agents and their landlords.”

Government’s commitment to building more homes is ‘disappointing’

However, he said that the government’s commitment to building more homes is ‘disappointing’ and said: “In order to provide the homes the country needs, plans need to be more ambitious, and Government must go faster and further to achieve this.

“Avoiding a fragmented approach is key, as well as having housing targets that are linked to tenure to meet the demand in different areas across the country.

“Housing reforms must also reflect societal change, help tackle the climate emergency, involve the tax system, meet the needs of older people and ultimately provide more affordable options, whilst protecting the green belt.”

‘Fundamental reforms to leasehold law’

When it comes to reforming leasehold, Mr Gove said: “But making the housing market work better will also require fundamental reforms to leasehold law.

“We want to ensure that those who have paid for their home by acquiring a leasehold can finally truly own their own home by becoming free of an outdated feudal regime which has been holding them back.

“So, we will continue action on exploitative ground rents, expand leaseholder’ ability to enfranchise – and to take back control from distant freeholders we will reduce punitive legal service charges, reduce insurance costs – and improve transparency.”

Mr Emerson said: “It is encouraging to see that further leasehold law changes are on the cards as it’s imperative that the reforms reduce costs for consumers and create a level playing field with those who already own a leasehold property.

“Furthermore, we welcome the proposals for a new design code to improve the quality of new homes and the inclusion of new support to help first-time buyers onto the property ladder.”

He said Mr Gove’s announcement is a ‘step in the right direction’ but action is needed now across all regions to provide homes that the country needs.

Creating ‘poor quality, unsafe homes’

Polly Neate, the head of Shelter, welcomed plans to build but warned that plans to convert takeaways into homes risked creating ‘poor quality, unsafe homes’.

Labour’s shadow housing secretary, Lisa Nandy, told the BBC: “It takes some serious brass neck for the Tories to make yet more promises when the housing crisis has gone from bad to worse on their watch.”

The National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations, said the government’s policies were ‘a positive start’ but ‘nowhere near the scale or ambition that is needed’.

And the Local Government Association is warning that shops, offices and barns are not always suitable for housing – and lead to poor quality homes.

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