Rayner’s call to action: start planning Britain’s new towns

21 May 2024 | Admin

Quatro was at UKREiiF this morning where Angela Rayner set out how housebuilding would play a key part in supporting Labour’s plans to stabilise the economy, should they win the General Election. This follows Labour’s big announcement last week on its first six steps for government where economic stability was at the fore. Rayner said she would hit the ground running on Labour’s pledge to deliver 1.4 million homes by the end of the next parliament, with an independent task force in place from day one. This team will identify sites that can host Labour’s new towns, urban extensions, and their supportive infrastructure within twelve months.

Crucially, Labour’s plan to deliver new homes would be driven by partnerships with regional leaders, developers and local communities – and Rayner’s speech today was a signal for each of these groups to be ready to deliver.

In her speech, Rayner set out that Labour would empower Metro Mayors, of which Labour has a handy eleven out of twelve, to bring forward new homes. This would include a brownfield-first approach which prioritises and fast tracks such sites through the planning system. Labour would also focus on unlocking ‘grey belt’ for sites that can deliver ‘affordable homes, new public services, and improved green spaces’, as well as working with Metro Mayors to distribute Affordable Homes Grants more efficiently.

For developers, the message was also clear. Labour praises those in the majority that do the right thing when it comes to development, and stands ready to work with them. But Labour will demand the very best for its new towns and urban extensions. This will include a target for 40% affordable housing, and distinctive local characters embraced in design, as well as good transport and community spaces.

Rayner also noted that it’s right for local people to have a say in local development. Better access to home ownership through mortgage guarantee schemes, ending the current leasehold system and ‘first dibs’ for first time buyers is a key way Labour would look to bring communities along with them to deliver its housebuilding targets. Delivering good quality homes, access to nature and play, and addressing nature depletion will also support these aims.

This leaves Labour, who would inherit a blocked-up planning system, with a jigsaw of groups to work with to deliver major schemes. Labour will hope that their call for ambition generates the local visions for growth they desire. However, while mayors such as Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, who are making a joint transport announcement tomorrow, may rise to the challenge, there remain several authorities where the housing shortage is acute but development is viewed negatively by local leaders.