VIDEO | What Labour needs to do in its first 100 days
The first 100 days is a pivotal time for any new government, an opportunity to make big changes while still riding high on an electoral mandate. Planners, housebuilders, and contractors gathered last week for a roundtable discussion hosted by Savills to outline what Labour needs to do to spearhead delivery in the built environment.
You can hear our panellists’ main takeaways from the conversation in the video at the top of this article.
Participants
- Philip Barnes, group land director, Barratt Homes
- Sean Fielding, associate director, Cavendish
- Jeremy Hinds, director of planning, Savills
- Colette McCormack, partner, Winckworth Sherwood
- Lee Powell, chief executive, GMI Construction
- Gavin Stollar OBE, sector lead for real estate and infrastructure, CT Group
- Jennifer Williams, Northern England correspondent, Financial Times
- Chaired by Julia Hatmaker, editor, Place North West
Key talking points
Nearly everyone agreed that something needs to be done about the planning system, whether that’s large-scale reform and the issuing of a new National Planning Policy and/or additional funding to tackle application backlogs and speed up the process.
The Green Belt came up time and time again, with many in the room stating it has become a major barrier towards delivering the housing the country needs. Labour’s promised rethink of Grey Belt was welcomed, but those around the table emphasised that there is no quick fix for the issue as it needs to be done right.
Several suggested that the government would do well to issue a series of statements that deliver some clarity around planning policy, providing interpretive guidance regarding what development is and is not acceptable.
Also on the wish list: a commitment to having the same housing minister, rather than the endless revolving door that was there under the Conservative government.
The discussion also covered the importance of help to buy, and a desire for the programme to continue.
Other topics that came included an increase in powers for regional mayors, a plan for senior living, investment in infrastructure, and changes to Homes England’s funding model to push for more affordable homes.
All in all, the group concurred that Labour will need to be brave and decisive in its first 100 days.
For more from this roundtable discussion, you can simply watch the video at the top of this article or on the Place North West YouTube channel. Learn more about Savills by visiting savills.co.uk.
