CLT's empowered by the latest Government announcement to boost affordable housing supplies!

Innovative new planning measures will help new, affordable, homes to be built where they are most needed, and save councils millions of pounds every year. The new approach, which was first mooted in the government's housing white paper, will give a realistic picture of how many homes each local area needs now and in the future years. This will help more homes to be built in areas where it is unaffordable, based on average earnings in each area. 

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: "This new approach will cut the unnecessarily complex and lengthy debates that can delay house building. It will make sure we have a clear and realistic assessment of home many new homes are needed, and ensure local communities have a voice in deciding where they go".

Assessing housing in only the starting point in the preparation of Local Plans. Councils then need to work with their local communities to take account of green belt and any other constraints, discuss with adjoining councils, and decide how many homes they can build, and where, as well as working together to provide infrastructure for the new homes such as roads and utilities. 

The House Builders Association (HBA) has welcomed Javid's announcement, as it will make local authorities responsible for cooperating with regional SMEs in the supply chain to deliver the right homes in the right places. This will require shifting focus from larger slow-to-deliver sites towards smaller and infill sites - which are delivered more quickly, favoured by local communities, and do not exacerbate existing infrastructure. 

The formula drawn up in Whitehall can never fully understand the complexity and unique needs of local housing markets, which vary significantly from place to place. It is crucial that councils and communities can lead new development in their areas. Our residents are clear - new homes in their communities have to be affordable, high-quality, and supported by adequate infrastructure and sustainable local services.