Chancellor George Osborne has unveiled proposals to reform rural planning laws in a bid to make it easier to build new village homes…
The recession damaged the construction sector beyond recognition. Since 2008, work has been undertaken to bolster the industry and to get Britain building again. While a shortage of skilled workers remains the greatest challenge facing construction it is clear the sector is starting to rebound.
Measures to improve the outlook for the construction sector saw the government, both under the former coalition and now the Conservative majority, carry out significant reform of the planning system.
Rules surrounding building on brownfield land—areas previously inhabited by commercial or industrial buildings—were relaxed, while initiatives to encourage developers to convert offices into residential units were also implemented. While the latter reform is currently experiencing problems of its own it was hoped relaxing planning laws and removing the amount of red tape would make it easier for developers to build new properties. However, the desire to improve the sector’s position remains at the forefront of government policy, which can only be a good thing for the industry.
In the latest measure to get the UK building the Chancellor George Osborne has unveiled new plans to make it easier to expand rural housing. While this will undoubtedly be unpopular with some rural communities, reforming the law should boost the economy in these areas.
Rural communities have recently become a focal point for the government, as they are playing an increasing role in boosting the economy. With some 60,000 people moving from cities to the countryside each year it is likely the government will continue to focus its attention on ensuring these areas thrive.
A lack of rural homes is, according to the Chancellor, problematic. He said the shortage was a scandal. He also said more needed to be done to improve telecommunications, transport, and schools in these regions.
In a bid to increase the number of affordable homes in rural communities, new reforms will be introduced as part of a rural productivity plan. This will include extending the Starter Homes scheme for brownfield sites to some villages.
This initiative will offer a 20 per cent discount on the price of a property to local first-time buyers. This will apply to homes up to £250,000 outside London and £450,000 in London.
One of the major bones of contention for rural communities is the issue of green belt. While some experts have warned there will be no choice in the future but to expand onto this land as demand for housing continues to grow, the government has tried to assuage concerns and assure communities of its desire to protect green belt.
However, as the population continues to grow and brownfield sites are filled it becomes more likely that developers will have no choice but to build on these sites.
Writing in the Telegraph, Osborne and Environment Secretary Liz Truss said: “This government is determined to support the millions that already choose a rural life and those that are joining them.
“For rural areas, we want better internet and mobile phone communications, better transport, better schools, better skills, better housing, better business growth and better local government.
“And we’ll look at planning and regulatory constraints facing rural businesses. In a recent survey of rural businesses the main barrier to growth that most identified was planning restrictions.
“So for a start, we’ll review rules around agricultural buildings such as barns to allow rural businesses to expand more easily.”
They added: “For the first time we’ll encourage rural areas to apply to become enterprise zones, and will work on how best to get superfast broadband to those that are successful.
“To expand the skilled workforce in the countryside, we are committing to triple the number of food and farming apprenticeships.”