Pink zones
The Centre for Policy Studies is a non-profit-making organisation, which ‘…develops and promotes policies to limit the role of the state, to encourage enterprise and to enable the institutions of society’. It is right-leaning, and has strong links to the Conservative Party.
On 20 May 2016, it published 'A Convergence of Interests', a report written by Keith Boyfield and Daniel Greenberg.
The report is a response to the housing crisis, which in 2015, saw just 136,000 new homes completed in England, well below the need for 250,000 new homes a year if the Government is to meet its target of 1 million new homes by 2020.
The report argues that all the pre-conditions are in place to allow a rapid increase in house building:
- The prevalence of ‘nimbyism’ (not in my back yard ism) is in decline as people increasingly appreciate the need for more housing.
- Institutional capital is more interested in investing in housing and infrastructure.
- Local authorities are more prepared to consider ambitious developments.
The report suggests that Government should exploit the opportunity created by this mixture of conditions by creating ‘Pink Zones' which bring together, through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), all the local interests necessary to ‘…found stable and attractive communities’. The concept already exists in the USA, and has been implemented in cities such as Phoenix, Arizona.
Pink Zones are areas with a ‘diluted’ regulatory regime which:
- Provide a streamlined planning system.
- Work from the bottom up, not the top down to bring together residents, developers and councils to achieve a consensus about new development.
- Increase competition, bypass many current planning regulations and improve design standards.
The report proposes that rolling out pink zones would involve the re-designation of some green belt land, suggesting that the area of greenbelt has more than doubled since 1979, and much of this land ‘is hardly green’.
Designated pink zones could use Compulsory Purchase Orders where necessary and offer direct compensation for those affected by any proposed development.
Report author Keith Boyfield, a leading economist and research fellow at the Centre for Policy Studies said, “Ultimately Pink Zones would create more and better homes for people throughout the country and tackle the poverty of aspiration which typifies much residential construction in this country. Our Pink Planning proposals create a mechanism whereby a convergence of interests can be taken forward. By encouraging Special Purpose Vehicles to emerge, Pink Planning, with its streamlined planning framework and a single consenting regime, can bring together all the relevant parties to create new developments that are finely tuned to the needs of individual communities.”
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.