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 Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.