Since their electoral victory and our update in June 2024, the Labour Party has swiftly moved to implement an ambitious agenda addressing the country's housing crisis. The new government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has prioritised affordable housing, sustainability and comprehensive urban planning as critical pillars of its policy initiatives.
A vital part of these ambitious plans is the reclassification of some greenbelt. Large swaths of “greenbelt” are, in fact, low-quality green belt that could be freed up to allow new homes to be built.
Established 70 years ago, the green belt covers 13% of England and was designed to limit the growth of large built-up areas and stop large towns from merging. Towns and cities have radically changed since then, and Labour is quick to point out that some “green belt land” is sites with disused car garages in the middle of built-up areas that have been previously developed.
Numerous studies have been conducted since the grey belt was first muted a year ago, suggesting that between 100,000 and 200,000 homes could be belted on these sites. Sites that could be pivotal to Labour's strategy are building 300,000 new homes annually, a significant increase over previous targets. This ambitious goal includes a significant number of affordable and social housing units to alleviate the pressure on low—and middle-income families. Homes built on the grey will require half the homes to have some affordable tenure.
The government plans to accelerate the construction process by combining public and private sector partnerships and leveraging public land for development.
To ensure these new homes meet modern standards, Labour has emphasised the importance of sustainability. All new developments are expected to adhere to stringent green building codes, focusing on energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints.
This aligns with Labour's broader environmental policies, which include achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Integrating green spaces, energy-efficient materials, and renewable energy sources will be key components of these housing projects.
Regarding planning, Labour has proposed significant reforms to streamline the approval process for new developments. The government intends to overhaul the planning system to make it more transparent and efficient, thereby reducing bureaucratic delays. A new "Planning Commission" will be established, tasked with fast-tracking major housing projects and ensuring that developments align with national housing needs. This commission will work closely with local councils to balance regional interests with the national urgency of addressing the housing shortage.
Now, critics have been quick to express concerns about the feasibility of these ambitious plans, particularly in the context of financial constraints and potential resistance from local authorities. Nonetheless, the Labour government remains steadfast, arguing that bold action is necessary to tackle the systemic issues in the housing market.
Overall, Labour's housing and planning agenda marks a significant shift towards a more interventionist approach, with a strong focus on social equity and sustainability. The coming years will be crucial in determining the success of these policies and their impact on the nation's housing landscape.
While planning will always be contentious, most can agree that for our younger generation to enjoy the same level playing field, many more new homes must be built across all tenures.
Time will judge the success of these ambitious plans, but the mood in the development world is highly encouraging and energised by Labour’s sentiment.