Build me a home on the green belt, say young Londoners
Most young Londoners want developers to build houses on the green belt, if it helps them to get on the property ladder.
Two-thirds of people aged between 25 and 45 living in the capital say they would support ambitious housing policies, including reforming rules around building on the green belt, according to a poll of 1,000 people by Pocket Living.
Just over a fifth of the land in Greater London – 22% – is designated as green belt, which cannot be developed.
Most young Londoners want developers to build houses on the green belt, if it helps them to get on the property ladder.
Two-thirds of people aged between 25 and 45 living in the capital say they would support ambitious housing policies, including reforming rules around building on the green belt, according to a poll of 1,000 people by Pocket Living.
Just over a fifth of the land in Greater London – 22% – is designated as green belt, which cannot be developed.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has promised to “look again” at the greenbelt and allow development of so called ‘greybelt’ land.
Virtually all of those surveyed by Pocket – 96% – said housing would be a crucial or important issue for politicians to focus on before next year’s general election, ranking it above education, immigration and Brexit.
Pocket Living CEO Marc Vlessing said: “A staggering two in three non-homeowning Londoners believe they will never own their own home and without urgent intervention to enhance housing solutions, the capital could see many hard-working city makers, essential to our growing economy, pack their bags and leave.”
Two thirds (67%) said they would vote for whichever candidate promoted more housing delivery at the next election, regardless of their political party or stance. This figure increases to 73% of those aged between 25-29.
“London is at breaking point and this year’s research should act as a wake-up call for policymakers and politicians.”
However, he added that recent speeches by Labour’s front bench did suggest that party was taking the issue seriously.
“Following the events at the Labour Party Conference, it’s clear the Party finally seems to understand the current housing issues and the need for a radical reform of the planning system to build more affordable homes,” he said.
Nearly 80% of young people in London said the government was not doing enough to deliver more affordable homes.
And Vlessing warned that this was far from being a London problem.
“The nuances identified within this research are not restricted to London. Up and down the country, whether it is Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, or Bristol, young people are suffering when it comes to housing. It is now time for the political classes to sit up, take note and show they are ready to take on this challenge.”
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