The government has prioritised economic growth, focusing on housing and planning reforms, as it promises to “get Britain building”.
In a speech as part of the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday this week, the King outlined prime minister Keir Starmer’s key policies which included a Planning and Infrastructure Bill, a Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill and a new Renters’ Rights Bill.
The government has promised to “accelerate” the delivery of “high-quality infrastructure and housing” pledging to build 1.5million homes during the next parliament. It has also stated local communities won’t be able to prevent building and will only be to able influence how, not if, new houses are built.
The draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill will aim to end the “feudal leasehold system”, continuing the regulation of ground rents and banning the sale of leasehold flats.
However in a move which could cause alarm to landlords, renters will be given “greater rights and protections ….. including ending no fault evictions and reforming grounds for possession”.
Associate director and head of planning and architecture, Natasha Blackmore da Silva said: “It is good to hear the government is committed to planning reform and accelerating housing delivery through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
“The planning sector is a key component of economic growth and supporting local authorities so they can speed up the process in vital.
“For too long we have been working with a planning regime that is outdated and lacks the resources required to deal with the level of applications it receives.
“I am hopeful the government support will ensure applications are processed in a timely manner and the presumption for sustainable development will remain at the heart of the process.”
Associate director Nik Kyriacou said: “As with all new statements, we cannot scrutinise as the devil will be in the detail.
“However, with the change in name to the Renters’ Rights Bill, we hope it is not going to be geared solely for the benefits of tenants, and indirectly punish landlords.
“We endorse any positive changes to allow renters a more secure tenancy and create a happier home, however, if the government ignores landlords, they will unintentionally exacerbate the rental crisis by scaring landlords away and creating an even worse supply and demand imbalance.
“We also hope the government takes its time on making the correct decisions for the benefit of the industry as a whole, and not pressure itself in making a mark within its first 100 days in office. A rushed, unfitting decision will become a stain on the private rental sector rather than a mark.”
Associate director, Charles Davis said: “The King’s speech addresses the well-documented need for a reform to the existing planning system in order to deliver both housing and infrastructure projects which will enable economic growth nationwide.
“The much touted ‘additional 300 new planners’ is unlikely to fix problems overnight and result in less than one planner per local authority. Efforts to instead allow authorities to retain skilled planners would encourage continuity.
“The return of compulsory housing targets alongside ‘grey belt’ will help to deliver housing, however equally important is the ability for upgrades to be made to country’s energy infrastructure which will enable the more green technologies being demanded of modern housing/developers.”
