Gove housing targets U-turn ‘beggars belief’

Michael Gove’s decision to abandon mandatory housing targets has been greeted with dismay by the British Property Federation. Chief executive Melanie Leech said the decision “beggars belief” and was “the very opposite of levelling up”. Last night the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities confirmed it had made changes to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to calm a rebellion on the government back benches. Under the terms of the compromise agreed by secretary of state Michael Gove, the 300,000-homes-a-year target will become advisory and local authorities will be able to lower the number of homes they are expected to provide. Leech said: “We have an acute lack of homes in the right places and removing mandatory housing targets will mean we are further than ever from meeting this need, and that young people and families miss out on the opportunity to have their own place called ‘home’. “It also beggars belief that fewer homes will be built at a time when the economy is contracting, undermining growth and jeopardising jobs across the construction supply chain.” She added: “Political infighting has been put ahead of the promise to build more urgently needed homes for hard-working people and families up and down the country – the very opposite of levelling up.” The target was a crucial element of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which has been pulled from its passage through the House of Commons after Tory MPs led a series of revolts over housing targets, planning reform and wind farms. Between 60 and 100 Conservative MPs, predominantly representing seats in the south of England, last week backed an amendment tabled by former environment secretary Theresa Villiers which aimed to scrap the target. Other concessions have also been made. Green belt protections will be strengthened, with new guidance setting out that local authorities are not required to review green belts to deliver homes. Brownfield land will be prioritised for development, with the government launching a review into how such sites are used. Developers will potentially be hit with new financial penalties if they sit on planning approvals without delivering schemes, while councils will be given powers to refuse further permissions across their area. Measures to stem the growth of second homes will also be inserted into the Bill, alongside the existing 100% council tax premium already included. A registration scheme for second homes and holiday lets will be established, while ministers consult on whether planning permission should be required for new short-term lets, especially in tourist hotspots.   To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews Image © Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock