Independent review of build out: final report
In October 2018, an independent review of the barriers to house building was published, with recommendations that a new set of planning rules should be introduced for sites with more than 1,500 homes to increase the rate of build out.
Led by Sir Oliver Letwin, the review was originally announced in the Autumn Budget 2017 and set up by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
The final report highlighted that in 2017, 217,000 new homes were delivered, and that if the government is to achieve their stated aim of delivering 300,000 new home a year, a number of steps need be taken.
In the interim report, Letwin had said there was ‘no evidence’ that major developers were carrying out landbanking, and instead pointed to the delivery of too many identical properties on large sites, and the limits to how quickly they can be sold, being the fundamental reason behind the slow build out rate.
The recommendations in the final report include
- New planning rules: These would require developers to offer a range of different property types on large sites (those with more than 1,500 homes).
- A new National Expert Committee: To advise councils on different property types that would be suitable on large sites, and to handle appeals in the event of disputes between developers and local authorities.
- Incentives for housebuilders: These would encourage the changing of plans for existing sites so that a variety of property types can be offered immediately.
- More powers for councils: Enabling councils to set up development companies, and to purchase undeveloped land.
Rt. Hon. Sir Oliver Letwin MP said; "I found that the main reason developers are slow to complete building on large sites is that there is only a limited demand each year for the highly uniform properties they are building on those sites. My final report sets out some policy levers that government can use to increase the variety of homes on sites, so they can be built out more quickly."
Ref. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-planning-rules-to-boost-build-out-rate-for-large-sites
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The impact of COVID-19 on global HVAC&R markets
Reviewing trends and projections.
Legislation will establish initiatives to move towards net zero.
Status determination statement
How to document contractor employment status.
Social distancing goes high tech
Tech tools to help manage people and space post-pandemic.
Eclectic Edwardian architecture
A style that ranges from mock Tudor to arts and crafts to the 'Wrenaissance'.
Free guide from Secured by Design.
Building Back Better: Circularity
BREEAM strategy for sustainability and the circular economy.
Free tool to improve the construction programming process.
Building services verification
Are buildings doing what they're supposed to be doing?
Cities with quick access to everything by foot or bike.
The pressures and pinch points of global destinations.
The green economic recovery beyond COVID-19
Making the case for a sustainable future.
Building Conservation Certification Scheme expands eligibility
Retrofit professionals now entitled to enter CIOB programme.
Unlimited Potential report looks at gender and racial bias
How, where, when and why stereotypes happen.