First Minister Rhodri Morgan introduced the scheme to include a measure which involved a commitment to consider how surplus land can be used to help implement objectives and priorities set by the Assembly for the delivery of affordable housing and sustainable development.
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The initiative came about as part of the National Housing Strategy ‘Better Homes for People in Wales’, which has seen house prices rise sharply and a deterioration of affordability. The Affordable Housing Toolkit encourages local authorities to make creative use of surplus land to help provide affordable housing, including sales at less than market value.
The plan is for land disposals to be guided by a working group, to comprise of representatives of the Department for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks including Regional Infrastructure, Transport Wales, Capital and Property; Welsh Health Estates; Finance and Housing Directorate.
This group will meet on a quarterly basis to consider the development potential of land, how it might be brought forward for disposal and how policy objectives will be achieved. It will also liaise with relevant local authorities and registered social landlords to establish demand and priorities.
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Paul Fielding, IFA at Cambria Financial, said: “Welsh house prices have rocketed but the problem is that wages haven’t. The shortage of property is ridiculous. Even after the income dilemma, it’s still a case of affordability.”
