2nd
Jul 2024
Following the General Election result that Labour is virtually guaranteed it has stated it make three major housing announcements during the next two weeks.
The party announced this in an exclusive to the Sunday Times which on Monday declared itself for Labour.
The newspaper says the three announcements will be:
1. A draft National Planning Policy Framework which will reestablish the local housing targets that were ‘dumped’ by Housing Secretary Michael Gove in 2023
2. Introduction of local authority reviews of the Green Belt which Labour has already proposed it will give permission for ‘unattractive’ parts for housing developments. The Times says local authorities will be allowed to set up regular review periods to choose parts of the Green Belt suited to development.
3. An unspecified new affordable house building programme
Labour’s plan will also include recruiting around 300 new planning officers and will provide details of what is called a ‘first dibs’ scheme to put local first time buyers at the top of the queue when housing schemes are put on the market.
Sir Kier Starmer promises that if Labour wins he intends to “hit the ground running” on housing policy, and may even shorten the six week Parliamentary summer recess to quicken legislation.
The Sunday Times however did not include any revelations from Starmer regarding the highly contentious Renters Reform Bill which the party has promised to reintroduce and toughen up with even stronger tenant powers.
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