It goes without saying that housing is one of the most important - and, at times, emotive - issues in British politics today. As ever, it is critical that we strike the right balance between delivering more homes where they are needed most for those looking to get on the housing ladder, and ensuring that new development is sympathetic to the needs of existing residents.
This week, the Government took a step in the right direction, and announced targeted action to make it easier to pursue the right kind of development on brownfield land, which will help to deliver more new housing at the hearts of our cities.
Following a review announced last summer, the Government has announced that it will introduce a new 'brownfield presumption' in our twenty most populous cities and urban centres, where housebuilding has generally fallen below expected levels. This new presumption will make it easier to get permission to build on brownfield land in our cities, by raising the bar for refusing applications - ultimately helping more young families to find a home.
In addition to this brownfield presumption, the Government will propose a change to national planning policy that will require councils to give 'significant weight' to the benefits of delivering as many homes as possible where there is a shortage of land for homes.
Complementing these changes on brownfield development, we are also helping developers to overcome bureaucracy by slashing red tape that stops appropriate commercial buildings being converted into new homes. At the same time, we're giving property owners more power to expand their homes upwards and outwards, freeing new extensions and loft conversions from the arduous process of receiving planning permission, while ensuring continuing protection for the rights of their neighbours. This will include greater freedom on installing heat pumps and Electric Vehicle charging points, helping to ease the financial burden of installing the infrastructure needed to deliver on our commitment to Net Zero.
The Government's plans for housing are a common-sense step in the right direction, which we allow us to deliver more homes in the places that need them most. It's important that we collect the low-hanging fruit of brownfield development first.
Taken together, these changes will allow us to deliver more housing in the areas with the greatest need, building on a strong track record of housing delivery. We are on track to build one million homes this Parliament, and have delivered 2.5 million homes since 2010, including 696,000 affordable homes. As we roll out our long-term plan for housing, I will be working closely with colleagues across Government to ensure that we meet these targets in a way that delivers for Hitchin & Harpenden.
