Building Live 2016 - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:34, 18 January 2021

2021-01-18T07:34:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:34, 18 January 2021
Line 62:		Line 62:
	* Social housing.		* Social housing.

−	[[Category:~~Planning_permission~~]] [[Category:~~Policy~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Policy~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Event]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Policy]]

Editor at 16:48, 24 July 2017

2017-07-24T16:48:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 24 July 2017
Line 62:		Line 62:
	* Social housing.		* Social housing.

−	[[Category:~~Organisations~~]] [[Category:~~Planning_permission~~]] [[Category:~~Policy~~]]	+	[[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Policy]] [[Category:DCN_Policy]]

Editor at 10:49, 2 December 2016

2016-12-02T10:49:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:49, 2 December 2016
Line 45:		Line 45:
	Dickinson expressed positivity about the return of the Help to Buy scheme. He suggested the “innovative stretching” of the pre-purchase time from 6 to 12 or 18 months before completion as a means of helping fund developments.		Dickinson expressed positivity about the return of the Help to Buy scheme. He suggested the “innovative stretching” of the pre-purchase time from 6 to 12 or 18 months before completion as a means of helping fund developments.

−	There was also some support for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, as the panel were broadly enthusiastic about the policy of stimulating building by lifting the borrowing cap on councils, enabling them to borrow against their housing stock. “In the 1998 Housing Act, housing associations were allowed to borrow and approach the City, build business plans, and the rate of building went up dramatically. I don’t see why housing associations and councils shouldn’t be allowed to borrow”, said ~~Morgan~~.	+	There was also some support for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, as the panel were broadly enthusiastic about the policy of stimulating building by lifting the borrowing cap on councils, enabling them to borrow against their housing stock. “In the 1998 Housing Act, housing associations were allowed to borrow and approach the City, build business plans, and the rate of building went up dramatically. I don’t see why housing associations and councils shouldn’t be allowed to borrow”, said Montague.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

Designing Buildings at 15:20, 30 November 2016

2016-11-30T15:20:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:20, 30 November 2016
Line 35:		Line 35:
	[[File:Buildinglive1.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive1.JPG]]		[[File:Buildinglive1.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive1.JPG]]

−	The next panel discussion looked at how a housing crisis could be averted. David Montague, chief executive of L&Q, began by quoting recent figures that to buy a home in London ~~necessitates~~ a £100,000 salary and ~~the same figure as~~ a deposit, however, the average London salary is £36,000. “There is definitely a crisis”, he said.	+	The next panel discussion looked at how the housing crisis could be averted. David Montague, chief executive of L&Q, began by quoting recent figures that to buy a home in London requires a £100,000 salary and a £100,000 deposit, however, the average London salary is £36,000. “There is definitely a crisis”, he said.

−	Duncan Cumberland, residential director, Muse Developments (who deliver an average of 800 homes ~~per~~ year, almost exclusively brownfield), reiterated that “the burden of planning is the bugbear.” He claimed that major projects such as Hinkley Point ~~threatens~~ to drain yet more ~~skills~~, with the skills gap currently reducing competitive tenders from main contractors south of Bristol.	+	Duncan Cumberland, residential director at Muse Developments (who deliver an average of 800 homes a year, almost exclusively on brownfield sites), reiterated that “the burden of planning is the bugbear.” He claimed that major projects such as Hinkley Point threaten to drain yet more workers from the available pool, with the skills gap currently reducing the number of competitive tenders from main contractors south of Bristol.

	Mark Dickinson, managing director of relatively new developer Anthology, argued that “to hit anywhere near the government’s target would require more effective land releases, not just in the public sector. There’s no incentive to be the ‘first mover’ in an area of regeneration.” He said that in the debt market, stability was difficult as an SME, but that it was positive to see the Autumn Statement focus on supply. “The government need to choose a plan and stick to it”, he said.		Mark Dickinson, managing director of relatively new developer Anthology, argued that “to hit anywhere near the government’s target would require more effective land releases, not just in the public sector. There’s no incentive to be the ‘first mover’ in an area of regeneration.” He said that in the debt market, stability was difficult as an SME, but that it was positive to see the Autumn Statement focus on supply. “The government need to choose a plan and stick to it”, he said.
Line 43:		Line 43:
	In terms of immediate concerns, Cumberland pointed out that deep cuts to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) may result in too much centralisation and a loss of real community contact that allows for joined-up thinking on planning and development.		In terms of immediate concerns, Cumberland pointed out that deep cuts to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) may result in too much centralisation and a loss of real community contact that allows for joined-up thinking on planning and development.

−	Dickinson expressed positivity ~~over~~ the return of the Help to Buy scheme. He suggested the “innovative stretching” of the pre-purchase time from 6 to 12 or 18 months before completion as a means of helping ~~with funding the~~ developments.	+	Dickinson expressed positivity about the return of the Help to Buy scheme. He suggested the “innovative stretching” of the pre-purchase time from 6 to 12 or 18 months before completion as a means of helping fund developments.

−	There was also some ~~positivity~~ for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, as the panel were broadly enthusiastic about the ~~mooted~~ policy of stimulating building by lifting the borrowing cap on councils, ~~thereby~~ enabling them to borrow against their housing stock. “In the 1998 Housing Act, housing associations were allowed to borrow and approach the City, build business plans, and the rate of building went up dramatically. I don’t see why housing associations and councils shouldn’t be allowed to borrow”, said Morgan.	+	There was also some support for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, as the panel were broadly enthusiastic about the policy of stimulating building by lifting the borrowing cap on councils, enabling them to borrow against their housing stock. “In the 1998 Housing Act, housing associations were allowed to borrow and approach the City, build business plans, and the rate of building went up dramatically. I don’t see why housing associations and councils shouldn’t be allowed to borrow”, said Morgan.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

Designing Buildings at 15:16, 30 November 2016

2016-11-30T15:16:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 30 November 2016
Line 17:		Line 17:
	A panel session then explored the development of the Northern Powerhouse and regional cities. Despite the Northern Powerhouse being one of former-Chancellor George Osborne’s initiatives that survived the transition to Theresa May’s premiership, its future is still up for debate and interpretation.		A panel session then explored the development of the Northern Powerhouse and regional cities. Despite the Northern Powerhouse being one of former-Chancellor George Osborne’s initiatives that survived the transition to Theresa May’s premiership, its future is still up for debate and interpretation.

−	Sadie Morgan, founding director of dRMM ~~and HS2, said that in order to properly regenerate cities~~ there ~~would~~ be a pressing need to “densify, rethink the Green Belt and our reliance on cars.” She warned that it was not enough to simply focus on “connecting the cities… the housing and economic stimulation cannot rely solely on the transport links [of major projects such as HS2].”	+	Sadie Morgan, founding director of dRMM suggested there was be a pressing need to “densify, rethink the Green Belt and our reliance on cars.” She warned that it was not enough to simply focus on “connecting the cities… the housing and economic stimulation cannot rely solely on the transport links [of major projects such as HS2].”

−	Janet Miller, ~~market~~ director of cities and development, Atkins, argued that the skills gap was the central factor affecting ~~the~~ performance discrepancies between the north and south. She said ~~that~~ it was imperative to decide “what the north is going to sell to the world? We need to understand what its competitive edge on the world stage is.”	+	Janet Miller, sector director of cities and development at Atkins, argued that the skills gap was the central factor affecting performance discrepancies between the north and south. She said it was imperative to decide “what the north is going to sell to the world? We need to understand what its competitive edge on the world stage is.”

−	Paul Beardmore, director of housing, Manchester City Council, and executive director, Manchester Place, spoke about the ‘Strategic Together’ plan that Manchester has ~~recently~~ launched, with growth and reform ~~being~~ its twin themes. He pointed to the Metrolink tram system connecting ~~various conurbations around~~ Greater Manchester, as a great example of successful reform of public services rather than simply focusing on growth.	+	Paul Beardmore, director of housing at Manchester City Council, and executive director of Manchester Place, spoke about the ‘Strategic Together’ plan that Manchester has launched, with growth and reform its twin themes. He pointed to the Metrolink tram system connecting Greater Manchester, as a great example of successful reform of public services rather than simply focusing on growth.

−	He said that the council’s plan was to build 11,500 new homes ~~per~~ year, more than double the current output. “We are moving in the right direction” he said, “but we need to harness the momentum that schemes like the Northern Powerhouse have generated.”	+	He said that the council’s plan was to build 11,500 new homes a year, more than double the current output. “We are moving in the right direction” he said, “but we need to harness the momentum that schemes like the Northern Powerhouse have generated.”

−	Morgan agreed on the recent successes of Manchester but argued that ~~“that transformation~~ needs to be shared across the wider region.”	+	Sadie Morgan agreed about the recent successes of Manchester but argued that “transformation needs to be shared across the wider region.”

−	On the question of the impact of Brexit and whether a change in government leadership might shift the impetus of the Northern Powerhouse, there was general agreement ~~on the panel~~ that while the buzzword itself, synonymous with Osborne, the political will towards ~~it still~~ appeared to be ~~present~~.	+	On the question of the impact of Brexit and whether a change in government leadership might shift the impetus of the Northern Powerhouse, there was general agreement that while the buzzword itself was synonymous with Osborne, the political will towards appeared to be intact.

−	Morgan said ~~that~~ “the reality is there needs to be huge investment in the north, we need to kickstart High Speed 3, it’s incumbent on any government to make that happen.”	+	Morgan said “the reality is there needs to be huge investment in the north, we need to kickstart High Speed 3, it’s incumbent on any government to make that happen.”

−	Beardmore said that the Northern Powerhouse was “embedded”, with united leaders behind it, and that a properly devolved process that encouraged local people to get more engaged on issues that matter to them, could redress the sense of alienation with national politics revealed by the EU vote. The Manchester mayoral elections in 2017, he said ~~was~~ a “golden opportunity” in that direction.	+	Beardmore said that the Northern Powerhouse was “embedded”, with united leaders behind it, and that a properly devolved process that encouraged local people to get more engaged on issues that matter to them, could redress the sense of alienation with national politics revealed by the EU vote. The Manchester mayoral elections in 2017, he said will be a “golden opportunity” in that direction.

	[[File:Buildinglive1.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive1.JPG]]		[[File:Buildinglive1.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive1.JPG]]

Designing Buildings at 15:10, 30 November 2016

2016-11-30T15:10:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:10, 30 November 2016
Line 3:		Line 3:
	On 29 November 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki attended the second annual Building Live conference at 155 Bishopsgate, London.		On 29 November 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki attended the second annual Building Live conference at 155 Bishopsgate, London.

−	With temperatures plummeting outside, the day began on ~~an equally~~ gloomy note, as Building’s Editor Sarah Richardson ~~reiterated~~ some of the ~~major~~ pressures currently facing the UK built environment. These include housing a rising population, rebalancing the economy through regional development and securing an infrastructure network capable of connecting cities in a way that drives future growth~~. Not~~ to mention the uncertainty created by the Brexit vote and the knock-on effect ~~that~~ may ~~prove to~~ have on the ~~already wide~~ skills ~~gap~~.	+	With temperatures plummeting outside, the day began on a gloomy note, as Building’s Editor Sarah Richardson described some of the pressures currently facing the UK built environment. These include; housing a rising population, rebalancing the economy through regional development and securing an infrastructure network capable of connecting cities in a way that drives future growth - not to mention the uncertainty created by the Brexit vote and the knock-on effect this may have on the skills shortage.

	[[File:Buildinglive2.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive2.JPG]]		[[File:Buildinglive2.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive2.JPG]]

−	The keynote interview was with Stephen Stone, ~~the~~ chief executive of ~~housebuilding firm~~ Crest Nicholson for 11 years, ~~steering~~ them through a tumultuous period ~~around the time of~~ the ~~economic crash~~ when it was feared the company might close.	+	The keynote interview was with Stephen Stone, chief executive of Crest Nicholson for 11 years, who steered them through the tumultuous period following the credit crunch when it was feared the company might close.

−	He initially tried to inject some optimism by claiming that “the housing market has never been as positive as it is today”. However, this was quickly tempered by asserting that “without doubt there is a housing crisis… Affordable housing is seriously down. Housebuilders have become very good as negotiating down the percentage of affordable housing on a site. London is in a dire condition on that front.”	+	He initially tried to inject some optimism by claiming that “the housing market has never been as positive as it is today”. However, this was quickly tempered by asserting that “without doubt there is a housing crisis… Affordable housing is seriously down. Housebuilders have become very good at negotiating down the percentage of affordable housing on a site. London is in a dire condition on that front.”

−	He expressed his suspicion that “government, or previous governments, haven’t been really serious about sorting out the housing problem.” He claimed ~~that~~ the government’s delayed White Paper on housing strategy, in reopening Section 106, “will create chaos again when we need to getting on with building.”	+	He expressed his suspicion that “government, or previous governments, haven’t been really serious about sorting out the housing problem.” He claimed the government’s delayed White Paper on housing strategy, in reopening debate about Section 106 agreements, “will create chaos again when we need to getting on with building.”

−	His response to ~~the~~ question of whether the government will meet its target of 200,000 new homes ~~per~~ year was simply, “no chance”. Expanding on this, Stone said “there’s been a lot of talk about land banking, but if you want to solve the crisis you need to unlock the planning system. There just isn’t a joined-up, 30-40 year view on housebuilding and infrastructure. I don’t see how you can tackle the crisis with a neighbourhood planning, bottom-up approach.”	+	His response to a question about whether the government will meet its target of 200,000 new homes a year was simply, “no chance”. Expanding on this, Stone said “there’s been a lot of talk about land banking, but if you want to solve the crisis you need to unlock the planning system. There just isn’t a joined-up, 30-40 year view on housebuilding and infrastructure. I don’t see how you can tackle the crisis with a neighbourhood planning, bottom-up approach.”

−	~~There was a~~ panel session ~~exploring~~ the development of the Northern Powerhouse and regional cities. Despite the Northern Powerhouse being one of former-Chancellor George Osborne’s initiatives that survived the transition to Theresa May’s premiership, its future is still up for debate and interpretation.	+	A panel session then explored the development of the Northern Powerhouse and regional cities. Despite the Northern Powerhouse being one of former-Chancellor George Osborne’s initiatives that survived the transition to Theresa May’s premiership, its future is still up for debate and interpretation.

	Sadie Morgan, founding director of dRMM and HS2, said that in order to properly regenerate cities there would be a pressing need to “densify, rethink the Green Belt and our reliance on cars.” She warned that it was not enough to simply focus on “connecting the cities… the housing and economic stimulation cannot rely solely on the transport links [of major projects such as HS2].”		Sadie Morgan, founding director of dRMM and HS2, said that in order to properly regenerate cities there would be a pressing need to “densify, rethink the Green Belt and our reliance on cars.” She warned that it was not enough to simply focus on “connecting the cities… the housing and economic stimulation cannot rely solely on the transport links [of major projects such as HS2].”

Editor at 11:08, 30 November 2016

2016-11-30T11:08:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:08, 30 November 2016
Line 56:		Line 56:
	* Help to buy.		* Help to buy.
	* High Speed 2 (HS2).		* High Speed 2 (HS2).
		+	* Homes and Communities Agency.
	* Infrastructure.		* Infrastructure.
	* Neighbourhood planning.		* Neighbourhood planning.

Editor at 10:57, 30 November 2016

2016-11-30T10:57:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:57, 30 November 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	[[File:Buildinglive3.JPG]]	+	[[File:Buildinglive3.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive3.JPG]]

	On 29 November 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki attended the second annual Building Live conference at 155 Bishopsgate, London.		On 29 November 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki attended the second annual Building Live conference at 155 Bishopsgate, London.
Line 5:		Line 5:
	With temperatures plummeting outside, the day began on an equally gloomy note, as Building’s Editor Sarah Richardson reiterated some of the major pressures currently facing the UK built environment. These include housing a rising population, rebalancing the economy through regional development and securing an infrastructure network capable of connecting cities in a way that drives future growth. Not to mention the uncertainty created by the Brexit vote and the knock-on effect that may prove to have on the already wide skills gap.		With temperatures plummeting outside, the day began on an equally gloomy note, as Building’s Editor Sarah Richardson reiterated some of the major pressures currently facing the UK built environment. These include housing a rising population, rebalancing the economy through regional development and securing an infrastructure network capable of connecting cities in a way that drives future growth. Not to mention the uncertainty created by the Brexit vote and the knock-on effect that may prove to have on the already wide skills gap.

−	[[File:Buildinglive2.JPG]]	+	[[File:Buildinglive2.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive2.JPG]]

−	The keynote interview was with Stephen Stone, the chief executive of housebuilding firm Crest Nicholson for 11 years, ~~stirring~~ them through a tumultuous period around the time of the economic crash when it was feared the company might close.	+	The keynote interview was with Stephen Stone, the chief executive of housebuilding firm Crest Nicholson for 11 years, steering them through a tumultuous period around the time of the economic crash when it was feared the company might close.

	He initially tried to inject some optimism by claiming that “the housing market has never been as positive as it is today”. However, this was quickly tempered by asserting that “without doubt there is a housing crisis… Affordable housing is seriously down. Housebuilders have become very good as negotiating down the percentage of affordable housing on a site. London is in a dire condition on that front.”		He initially tried to inject some optimism by claiming that “the housing market has never been as positive as it is today”. However, this was quickly tempered by asserting that “without doubt there is a housing crisis… Affordable housing is seriously down. Housebuilders have become very good as negotiating down the percentage of affordable housing on a site. London is in a dire condition on that front.”
Line 33:		Line 33:
	Beardmore said that the Northern Powerhouse was “embedded”, with united leaders behind it, and that a properly devolved process that encouraged local people to get more engaged on issues that matter to them, could redress the sense of alienation with national politics revealed by the EU vote. The Manchester mayoral elections in 2017, he said was a “golden opportunity” in that direction.		Beardmore said that the Northern Powerhouse was “embedded”, with united leaders behind it, and that a properly devolved process that encouraged local people to get more engaged on issues that matter to them, could redress the sense of alienation with national politics revealed by the EU vote. The Manchester mayoral elections in 2017, he said was a “golden opportunity” in that direction.

−	[[File:Buildinglive1.JPG]]	+	[[File:Buildinglive1.JPG\|link=File:Buildinglive1.JPG]]

	The next panel discussion looked at how a housing crisis could be averted. David Montague, chief executive of L&Q, began by quoting recent figures that to buy a home in London necessitates a £100,000 salary and the same figure as a deposit, however, the average London salary is £36,000. “There is definitely a crisis”, he said.		The next panel discussion looked at how a housing crisis could be averted. David Montague, chief executive of L&Q, began by quoting recent figures that to buy a home in London necessitates a £100,000 salary and the same figure as a deposit, however, the average London salary is £36,000. “There is definitely a crisis”, he said.

Editor: Created page with "File:Buildinglive3.JPG On 29 November 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki attended the second annual Building Live conference at 155 Bishopsgate, London. With temperatures plumm..."

2016-11-30T10:57:19Z

Created page with "File:Buildinglive3.JPG On 29 November 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki attended the second annual Building Live conference at 155 Bishopsgate, London. With temperatures plumm..."

New page

[[File:Buildinglive3.JPG]]

On 29 November 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki attended the second annual Building Live conference at 155 Bishopsgate, London.

With temperatures plummeting outside, the day began on an equally gloomy note, as Building’s Editor Sarah Richardson reiterated some of the major pressures currently facing the UK built environment. These include housing a rising population, rebalancing the economy through regional development and securing an infrastructure network capable of connecting cities in a way that drives future growth. Not to mention the uncertainty created by the Brexit vote and the knock-on effect that may prove to have on the already wide skills gap.

[[File:Buildinglive2.JPG]]

The keynote interview was with Stephen Stone, the chief executive of housebuilding firm Crest Nicholson for 11 years, stirring them through a tumultuous period around the time of the economic crash when it was feared the company might close.

He initially tried to inject some optimism by claiming that “the housing market has never been as positive as it is today”. However, this was quickly tempered by asserting that “without doubt there is a housing crisis… Affordable housing is seriously down. Housebuilders have become very good as negotiating down the percentage of affordable housing on a site. London is in a dire condition on that front.”

He expressed his suspicion that “government, or previous governments, haven’t been really serious about sorting out the housing problem.” He claimed that the government’s delayed White Paper on housing strategy, in reopening Section 106, “will create chaos again when we need to getting on with building.”

His response to the question of whether the government will meet its target of 200,000 new homes per year was simply, “no chance”. Expanding on this, Stone said “there’s been a lot of talk about land banking, but if you want to solve the crisis you need to unlock the planning system. There just isn’t a joined-up, 30-40 year view on housebuilding and infrastructure. I don’t see how you can tackle the crisis with a neighbourhood planning, bottom-up approach.”

There was a panel session exploring the development of the Northern Powerhouse and regional cities. Despite the Northern Powerhouse being one of former-Chancellor George Osborne’s initiatives that survived the transition to Theresa May’s premiership, its future is still up for debate and interpretation.

Sadie Morgan, founding director of dRMM and HS2, said that in order to properly regenerate cities there would be a pressing need to “densify, rethink the Green Belt and our reliance on cars.” She warned that it was not enough to simply focus on “connecting the cities… the housing and economic stimulation cannot rely solely on the transport links [of major projects such as HS2].”

Janet Miller, market director of cities and development, Atkins, argued that the skills gap was the central factor affecting the performance discrepancies between the north and south. She said that it was imperative to decide “what the north is going to sell to the world? We need to understand what its competitive edge on the world stage is.”

Paul Beardmore, director of housing, Manchester City Council, and executive director, Manchester Place, spoke about the ‘Strategic Together’ plan that Manchester has recently launched, with growth and reform being its twin themes. He pointed to the Metrolink tram system connecting various conurbations around Greater Manchester, as a great example of successful reform of public services rather than simply focusing on growth.

He said that the council’s plan was to build 11,500 new homes per year, more than double the current output. “We are moving in the right direction” he said, “but we need to harness the momentum that schemes like the Northern Powerhouse have generated.”

Morgan agreed on the recent successes of Manchester but argued that “that transformation needs to be shared across the wider region.”

On the question of the impact of Brexit and whether a change in government leadership might shift the impetus of the Northern Powerhouse, there was general agreement on the panel that while the buzzword itself, synonymous with Osborne, the political will towards it still appeared to be present.

Morgan said that “the reality is there needs to be huge investment in the north, we need to kickstart High Speed 3, it’s incumbent on any government to make that happen.”

Beardmore said that the Northern Powerhouse was “embedded”, with united leaders behind it, and that a properly devolved process that encouraged local people to get more engaged on issues that matter to them, could redress the sense of alienation with national politics revealed by the EU vote. The Manchester mayoral elections in 2017, he said was a “golden opportunity” in that direction.

[[File:Buildinglive1.JPG]]

The next panel discussion looked at how a housing crisis could be averted. David Montague, chief executive of L&Q, began by quoting recent figures that to buy a home in London necessitates a £100,000 salary and the same figure as a deposit, however, the average London salary is £36,000. “There is definitely a crisis”, he said.

Duncan Cumberland, residential director, Muse Developments (who deliver an average of 800 homes per year, almost exclusively brownfield), reiterated that “the burden of planning is the bugbear.” He claimed that major projects such as Hinkley Point threatens to drain yet more skills, with the skills gap currently reducing competitive tenders from main contractors south of Bristol.

Mark Dickinson, managing director of relatively new developer Anthology, argued that “to hit anywhere near the government’s target would require more effective land releases, not just in the public sector. There’s no incentive to be the ‘first mover’ in an area of regeneration.” He said that in the debt market, stability was difficult as an SME, but that it was positive to see the Autumn Statement focus on supply. “The government need to choose a plan and stick to it”, he said.

In terms of immediate concerns, Cumberland pointed out that deep cuts to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) may result in too much centralisation and a loss of real community contact that allows for joined-up thinking on planning and development.

Dickinson expressed positivity over the return of the Help to Buy scheme. He suggested the “innovative stretching” of the pre-purchase time from 6 to 12 or 18 months before completion as a means of helping with funding the developments.

There was also some positivity for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, as the panel were broadly enthusiastic about the mooted policy of stimulating building by lifting the borrowing cap on councils, thereby enabling them to borrow against their housing stock. “In the 1998 Housing Act, housing associations were allowed to borrow and approach the City, build business plans, and the rate of building went up dramatically. I don’t see why housing associations and councils shouldn’t be allowed to borrow”, said Morgan.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Affordable housing.
* Ecobuild 2016 - What makes good housing?
* Edge Debate 71 - Can decentralisation solve the housing crisis?
* Help to buy.
* High Speed 2 (HS2).
* Infrastructure.
* Neighbourhood planning.
* Redefining density, making the best use of London’s land to build more and better homes.
* Social housing.

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Policy]]