UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
29/04/2010
Public Waking Up To Housing Crisis But Politicians Remain Blinkered
Around 60% of Britons believe that there is a shortage of new homes in the UK, according to the smartnewhomes.com election poll, suggesting that the public is waking up to the housing crisis unfolding around the country.
With nearly five million people on housing waiting lists across the UK, and 1.6 million children living in overcrowded, temporary or run-down housing, the UK is suffering from a serious and worsening shortage of new homes.
However, despite the severity of the shortfall, which is approaching 1 million homes, it seems many do not feel it is an issue that is being taken seriously by politicians: only 48% expected the new government to treat housing as a priority.
Furthermore, only half of developers say they are building more new homes in 2010 than they did in 2009, a year which saw housebuilding rates at their lowest level since the Second World War. Of all the housebuilders polled, 94% feel that the authorities need to deliver more brownfield land for development, while 63% even feel it is time for the government to consider releasing greenbelt sites.
The industry is agreed that the bureaucratic planning system is in large part responsible. The Conservative party has proposed devolving responsibility for planning decisions to local communities. However the smartnewhomes.com poll showed that, although 60% of people believe there is a shortage of new homes, only 50% would support new developments in their area. This indicates that the Not-in-my-back-yard attitude would prove a significant stumbling block to progress if the Tory proposals were implemented.
Dave Bexon, Managing Director of smartnewhomes.com, said: "The smartnewhomes.com consumer and developer polls show that while awareness of the housing crisis among the public is strong, the gap between the housebuilding industry and any new government is potentially set to get even wider.
"Housebuilders are desperately trying to meet public demand for new homes, but are being prevented by a politically-led planning system that is fraught with delays and red tape. We would encourage everyone to question their local candidates on their housing policies before casting their vote on May 6. We need new homes and we need to see every political party taking the industry seriously to prevent an already desperate situation worsening."
(CD/GK)
With nearly five million people on housing waiting lists across the UK, and 1.6 million children living in overcrowded, temporary or run-down housing, the UK is suffering from a serious and worsening shortage of new homes.
However, despite the severity of the shortfall, which is approaching 1 million homes, it seems many do not feel it is an issue that is being taken seriously by politicians: only 48% expected the new government to treat housing as a priority.
Furthermore, only half of developers say they are building more new homes in 2010 than they did in 2009, a year which saw housebuilding rates at their lowest level since the Second World War. Of all the housebuilders polled, 94% feel that the authorities need to deliver more brownfield land for development, while 63% even feel it is time for the government to consider releasing greenbelt sites.
-- Advertisement --
The industry is agreed that the bureaucratic planning system is in large part responsible. The Conservative party has proposed devolving responsibility for planning decisions to local communities. However the smartnewhomes.com poll showed that, although 60% of people believe there is a shortage of new homes, only 50% would support new developments in their area. This indicates that the Not-in-my-back-yard attitude would prove a significant stumbling block to progress if the Tory proposals were implemented.
Dave Bexon, Managing Director of smartnewhomes.com, said: "The smartnewhomes.com consumer and developer polls show that while awareness of the housing crisis among the public is strong, the gap between the housebuilding industry and any new government is potentially set to get even wider.
"Housebuilders are desperately trying to meet public demand for new homes, but are being prevented by a politically-led planning system that is fraught with delays and red tape. We would encourage everyone to question their local candidates on their housing policies before casting their vote on May 6. We need new homes and we need to see every political party taking the industry seriously to prevent an already desperate situation worsening."
(CD/GK)
Latest Construction News
29/01/2025
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £43 million contract to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse's flagship regeneration scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham.
The project, known as Upper Trinity Street, marks a significant step in the area’s transformation.
Spanning 182,986 square feet, the re
29/01/2025
McLaren Construction has been appointed by O&H Properties to deliver the first phase of a £60 million Foster & Partners-designed development at the corner of New Bond Street and Grafton Street in London’s West End.
The seven-storey, 5,400 square metre prime retail and office scheme will feature ret
29/01/2025
GMI Construction Group has been awarded a contract to develop three high-specification warehouse units totalling over 175,000 square feet at Precedent Drive, Milton Keynes.
The £20 million project, commissioned by DV5 Last Mile Developments (UK) Ltd, a joint venture between Coltham and Delancey Re
29/01/2025
Plans for 106 sustainable new homes in Southville, a neighbourhood in South Bristol, have been approved as the city seeks to increase housing delivery to address growing demand.
Top 10 award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group will create a £60 million development on Raleigh Road, on land that was
29/01/2025
Bouygues UK has reached a major milestone in the fourth phase of the Hallsville Quarter regeneration project in Canning Town, London.
The project, part of the £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme, recently held a topping out ceremony, marking the completion of the 11-s
29/01/2025
Willmott Dixon Interiors is carrying out a significant upgrade to the roof of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, one of London's most iconic cultural landmarks.
As part of the £12 million project, the company is installing over 23,000 square feet of sun-protected glazing above the museum’s
29/01/2025
Equans has been appointed by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to carry out crucial decarbonisation work across the councils' housing stock, using funding secured through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).
The councils used the South East Consortium's Zero Carbon Framework to s
29/01/2025
In the world of construction, the quest for energy efficiency and sustainability is ever-evolving. Among the array of solutions available, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) insulation stands out as a versatile and effective option for enhancing the thermal performance of buildings, particularly when used f
29/01/2025
BCP Council has completed significant coastal protection works at Hamworthy Park, ensuring its resilience against erosion for the next 20 years.
A 200-metre stretch of sea wall along the eastern promenade has been reinforced using low-carbon concrete, while new steps have been constructed to improv
29/01/2025
Geo-environmental consultancy and remediation contractor, The LK Group, has strengthened its team with a trio of recruits.
The multidisciplinary company's latest raft of hires comprises a new director, associate director and remediation manager.
The geo-environmental specialist, headquartered i
