Design should incorporate ‘Labour values’ to overcome nimbyism

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE: The design of hundreds of thousands of new social homes that Labour plans to build should incorporate “Labour’s values” in order to overcome nimbyism. Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood and a former planner, said: “Design is value based… As Labour people we should think about how our Labour values of inclusivity, justice and equality feed into design decisions.” Hayes was speaking at a Labour Party Conference fringe event examining whether beautiful design could combat nimbyism. A Labour government would aim to build 1m new council homes over the next 10 years. This would include the regeneration and densification of many existing estates, something that has become an complex and contentious issue. Sarah Jones, shadow housing minister and MP for Croydon, said “In some places, it’s about quality; in some places, it’s about quantity and supply.” However, Jones said ensuring a proportion of homes going to those living locally helped to combat nimbyism. “We need to make sure when we build homes that people in that area will benefit,” she added. The Haringey Development Vehicle and its plan for the regeneration of Haringey’s estates was instrumental in Labour losing seats on Haringey Council in the local elections earlier this year, when Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales also lost his seat. His successor, Rokhsana Fiaz, was elected partly on a housing ticket. Wales said: “You need to create a place that people are proud to live in, that says we value you so much we think you are entitled to a decent home that is well designed and worth living in, and not some bloody slum.” Practically speaking, Hayes said, this also required a change in policy. “At the moment we have a system that incentivises developers to spend a lot of money at the application stage and not later,” she added. “By the time it gets to buildings being built on the ground, you are assessed much more on just minimum safety standards.” She said a little more guidance at the national level would help people know what they have to deliver. However, Wales, who oversaw the building of thousands of homes in Newham, stressed the importance of quality. “If you give up the quality of the development, you will be bulldozing them in 50 years – we did that in Canning Town. Our policy was always very clear: build for the community… I would rather sacrifice a few to create a place that people want to live in.” To send feedback, e-mail alex.peace@egi.co.uk or tweet @EGAlexPeace or @estatesgazette