Labour has announced a plan to get Britain building again by introducing a better system, that builds homes local people can afford, delivers new infrastructure and improves green spaces.
It says it is committed to prioritise building on brownfield land first, but cannot build the homes that Britain needs without also releasing some greenbelt, including poor-quality land, car parks and wastelands currently classed as green belt but which is often referred to as “grey belt”.
The party will make improvements to existing green spaces, making them accessible to the public, with new woodland, parks and playing fields.
Labour’s five ‘Golden Rules’ are:
- Brownfield first
- Grey belt second
- Affordable homes
- Boost public services and infrastructure
- Protect genuine green space
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “Prioritising grey belt and pairing it with golden rules would ensure greenspace loss is mitigated, vital supporting infrastructure is delivered and both builders and local people getting planning and placemaking certainty. It’s a win for all parties which is why we support it.”
The focus will be on ensuring grey belt sites deliver as many community benefits as possible, such as schools and GP surgeries, with local leaders, rather than only quangos, deciding what is needed.
Affordable housing targets will be strengthened, and developments should serve to increase access to nature, so that housebuilding and nature are compatible.
Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy, and Market Insight at the NFB and House Builders Association (HBA), said: “The devil will always be in the detail, but Labour appears to understand that placemaking requires input and support from all quarters and that the housebuilder’s job is to build the homes, not control what infrastructure is required, how offsite nature links up to a new development and why a site is allocated for new homes.
“A grey belt also suggests some greenbelt reassessment, something even Conservative backbenchers have been calling for, but the Government keeps dismissing.
“Alongside other announcements and discussions, such as reforming compulsory purchase and having more onsite biodiversity opportunities, it feels as though we have a political party which understands the problems planning uncertainty causes for housebuilders, communities, nature, and society at large.”
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said the UK is experiencing a growing housing crisis and brownfield sites alone are insufficient to tackle the scale of the challenge that we face.
“While brownfield land should be prioritised, introducing new measures to create more buildable land and is vital, particularly small sites which can be used by local house builders, as this will help to create more diverse, quality housing,” he said.
“More detail is needed about the proposal, particularly as to how ‘poor-quality and ugly areas’ are to be classified as Grey Belt. However, we know that many small sites in Green Belt areas, such as disused car parks and petrol stations, would be perfectly suitable for housing. Unlocking small sites would present significant opportunities, and these proposals must be supported with increased funding to empower local authority planning departments to support micro and SME housebuilders through the planning system.”
The Housing Forum welcomed the Labour announcements on proposals to find ways to build 1.5 million new homes.
Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Anna Clarke said: “It’s good to build on brownfield sites where practical, but we know these are not sufficient to meet needs. Many cities, such as London have a growing population and huge levels of housing need. But they are unable to grow outwards because of greenbelts which were drawn up over 70 years ago.
“We would like to see a more strategic approach to the greenbelt, with local authorities and city regions encouraged to work together. Central government should support these ambitions and not try to lock down the boundaries of greenbelts in perpetuity.”
