Government plans for starter homes
On 29 March 2016, the government announced new rules for house-builders requiring that where sites contain 10 or more new homes, one in five must be a designated ‘starter home’. Ref DCLGDCLG, New government plans for 1 new home in 5 to be a starter home.
Starter homes are made available at a 20% discount from their market value, or cheaper, but their purchase is limited to first time buyers under the age of 40. The government sees this as a ‘major step’ towards its target for creating 200,000 starter homes and 1 million new homes by 2020.
The proposals also include provision for injured soldiers and partners of those who lost their lives in service, making them eligible for starter homes without the age restriction.
To limit the risk from speculators, the intention is that starter homes can only be resold to other first time buyers, at a similar discount, for five to eight years after purchase. There will also be sub-letting restrictions to guard against properties becoming opportunities for buy-to-let investors.
The government’s starter home support package consists of £2.3 billion for the first 60,000 starter homes, including £1.2 billion for brownfield land housebuilding.
Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said: “We want to ensure young people who aspire to own their own home can settle down and enjoy the security home ownership brings. Today’s proposals mean starter homes will be built on hundreds of housebuilding sites across the country, encouraging private and affordable housing is built side by side in mixed communities.”
However, in an interview with Designing Buildings Wiki in January 2016, Labour’s Shadow Housing and Planning Minister Roberta Blackman-Woods, said: “…while starter homes can be part of the solution to address the housing shortage, they cannot substitute for critically needed affordable housing for people on average incomes to whom starter homes are too expensive….they are only part of the solution to address the housing shortage.
“I worry that the definition for what constitutes ‘brownfield’ land is too vague and opens the door to ambiguity in planning and development. I am concerned about the government’s initiative that developers who build starter homes on brownfield land will be exempt from planning gain and that could lead to a deficit in resources for necessary infrastructure to support development.”
You can read the full interview with Roberta Blackman-Woods MP here.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Ending decades of frustration, misinformation and distrust.
Essential tools in managing historically significant landscapes.
Classroom electrician courses a 'waste of money'
Say experts from the Electrical Contractors’ Association.
Wellbeing in Buildings TG 10/2025
BSRIA topic guide updates.
With brief background and WELL v2™.
From studies, to books to a new project, with founder Emma Walshaw.
Types of drawings for building design
Still one of the most popular articles the A-Z of drawings.
Who, or What Does the Building Safety Act Apply To?
From compliance to competence in brief.
The remarkable story of a Highland architect.
Commissioning Responsibilities Framework BG 88/2025
BSRIA guidance on establishing clear roles and responsibilities for commissioning tasks.
An architectural movement to love or hate.
Don’t take British stone for granted
It won’t survive on supplying the heritage sector alone.
The Constructing Excellence Value Toolkit
Driving value-based decision making in construction.
Meet CIOB event in Northern Ireland
Inspiring the next generation of construction talent.
Reasons for using MVHR systems
6 reasons for a whole-house approach to ventilation.