Two new reports launched today at a national housing conference support a larger role for county councils in planning to help solve the affordability crisis; with nine in ten counties warning they have a ‘severe’ or ‘moderate’ need for affordable homes
A new study for Catriona Riddell Associates for the County Councils Network (CCN) calls for a re-introduction of strategic planning to align planning and infrastructure and to accelerate housing delivery.
A new report from the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) for the CCN, also backs a stronger role for counties in planning and closer collaboration between the two tiers of council in county areas, especially in the proposed Statement for Common Ground; giving district councils the capacity to plan for homes over a larger area and the county the ability to plan for infrastructure and service provision.
The report also showcases the entrepreneurial work counties are doing to deliver housing, and recommends extra resources for counties to start building homes.
The TCPA report, which includes a new survey that found nine in ten county councils class their need for affordable housing either ‘severe or moderate’ recommends:
- A stronger role for counties in planning, with a clearly defined role for county councils in the strategic planning process and better aligning planning and infrastructure with a central role for county councils in the Statement for Common Ground.
- Government should be a direct resource for improving this capacity so more counties develop housebuilding initiatives.
- Government should introduce new minimum standards so homes cater for elderly and disabled people, due to a national dearth of adequate homes for people with long-term care issues or disabilities.
- A clear recognition of the role counties can play in solving the housing affordability crisis in the forthcoming Affordable Housing Green Paper and from Homes England.
The TCPA survey demonstrates that the housing affordability crisis is a countrywide issue, with 100% of respondents in the North West saying their need for affordable homes is ‘severe’, and two-thirds of counties in the East Midlands and the South West giving the same answer.
A further study from planning experts Catriona Riddell Associates argues that government’s proposed planning reforms in the National Planning Policy Framework do not go far enough and suggests government should consider re-introducing strategic planning to accelerate delivery of homes backed by the correct infrastructure.
The report recommends:
- The introduction of a more formal approach to strategic spatial and infrastructure planning in two tier areas.
- For government to legislate for statutory joint strategic planning, or statutory strategic infrastructure frameworks (in which local plans can be prepared), which will align housing, infrastructure, and economic priorities. Within these arrangements, there should be joint governance with all local authorities included as equal partners, with the use of joint planning committees wherever possible.
Both reports will be launched at a national housing conference organised by the County Councils Network today (20 June).
Cllr Philip Atkins, County Councils Network spokesman for housing, planning, and infrastructure said: “Today’s research reveals counties have strong concerns over the ability of young people to afford their own homes, which stretches the length and breadth of the country; from Cornwall to Cumbria.
“Whilst counties are taking matters into their own hands, their ambitions remain shackled by planning reforms that do not go far enough, especially on planning on a strategic scale. These reports today set out a series of recommendations to enable counties to do more to deliver the homes for people of all ages the country desperately needs; properties of the right tenures and in the right places, backed by the necessary infrastructure to ensure that we build sustainable communities, not just simply houses.”
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association, added: “The research provides valuable insight into what counties are already achieving under their current powers; sets out examples of leadership by pioneering councils who are unlocking the provision of new housing through partnerships and direct delivery; and gives an indication to government of the skills and capacity that counties already have and what more they can do.
“Counties are innovating right across the country, making the most of their assets such as land owned by the council or public sector. The study reveals that counties understand that to realise the true value of land they must do more than just maximise sales receipts. They are aware that they must understand the potential for long-term income streams, have a stake in the quality of the development and secure wider social and economic benefits. Ultimately the report demonstrates that counties are an important part of the solution to the national housing crisis.”
