The UK government plans to release greenbelt land for housing, with an emphasis on low-quality ‘greybelt’ areas.
- Barratt Redrow supports the initiative but suggests changes to the requirement that 50% of new homes be affordable.
- Philip Barnes highlights potential challenges for developers regarding the affordability quota in ‘greybelt’ areas.
- The Labour Party’s policy includes significant infrastructure investments alongside housing development.
- Calls for precise definitions of ‘greybelt’ to ensure policy effectiveness.
The UK government is pursuing plans to release parts of the greenbelt land for housing, particularly targeting low-quality or less scenic areas branded as ‘greybelt’. These plans are aimed at increasing the housing supply in more sustainable locations on the fringes of towns and cities. Barratt Redrow, one of the country’s prominent housebuilders, has expressed its support for the initiative but has voiced concerns over the imposed affordability quota.
Philip Barnes, representing Barratt Redrow, has articulated his excitement about the policy while cautioning against the current requirement that half of the homes built in these areas should be affordable. He suggests that such a stipulation acts as a deterrent for developers, especially when they have to undergo a viability process fraught with uncertainty. Barnes recommends a more flexible target that exceeds existing local quotas by 10 percentage points, which would provide developers with more predictable outcomes and thus encourage investment.
The Labour Party, responsible for the proposed changes, has outlined a comprehensive strategy that extends beyond housing to include investment in local infrastructure and the enhancement of genuine green spaces. However, the 50% affordability requirement remains a contentious issue. Developers like Barratt Redrow argue that while investing in infrastructure is crucial, the high affordability requirement could discourage potential investment and development.
Barnes has additionally pointed to the necessity of technical amendments in the definition of what constitutes ‘greybelt’. Without a clear and specific definition, developers may face challenges in implementing projects efficiently. His concerns are echoed by academic voices such as Paul Cheshire from the London School of Economics, who warns that a lack of precision could nullify efforts to significantly boost housing numbers under the current government framework.
Barratt Redrow urges the government to reconsider the affordability targets and definitions to facilitate effective implementation of the ‘greybelt’ housing strategy.
