There is a good case to take the provision of housing for the populous of the UK outside of politics. But if there is one topic that unites locals is the submission of a planning application for housing development.
We currently have a Government whose are looking to give back control locally of planning, and have been accused of providing a "Nimby's charter". with an election looming, the Opposition are positioning themselves as the party of House Building.
Very much like a beachball in a crowd at a sporting event, the issue of housing, and how we build this almost mythical number of 300,000 houses, is being batted about with little or no control of its direction.
In the Times today, it is reported that Lisa Nandy, the shadow levelling up secretary, is considering drawing up plans that would change how land is valued when purchased through compulsory purchase orders ("CPO's").
It appears that the labour scheme would go further than current Government plans and would allow ministers to direct the purchase of land for affordable homes at its existing value i.e. "hope" value excluded.
Land would effectively be purchased at its agricultural value.
And did you know Homes England, the governments housing agency, was granted powers in 2017 to use CPO's - but never has?
The Labour Party believe this course of action brings us more in line with countries in Europe - and would unlock growth, given they believe developers and land owners build too few to drive prices up. Few seem to care this would see more development of the green belt.
Its seems the next election will see a change of government, and undoubtedly we will see more public money used to create much needed affordable housing.
Here's a thought- why not look at better use of our existing aging housing stock, especially in London and major cities, to create local affordable housing more quickly, than the large soleless blocks of boxes we all see, that are unsuitable for families?
The beachball goes off in another direction!
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