The announcement of the Chancellor’s housebuilding ambitions are a welcome step forward in the process of redressing the chronic housing shortage we face today. Expanding the starter homes programme to include shared ownership will see more options for struggling first time buyers.
The proposed changes to the planning process will lower the height of the hurdle that planning presents for developers, we think this will help get more homes built, which is what we need.
While pursuing home ownership is certainly part of the route to a healthier housing market, the government needs to recognise the tide of structural changes fuelling the growth of the private rented sector. The growing private rented sector needs support, with incentives for creating quality stock and effective regulation to encourage great landlords.
