UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
13/11/2013
Affordable Homes Programme Target Will Be Challenging - GLA
The Mayor's affordable homes programme target will be "challenging", the Greater London Authority (GLA) told the London Assembly's Housing Committee today.
It is understood another 5,000 new-build homes will need to be started in the next 4.5 months if it is to be met.
In June 2013, the GLA stated at the Assembly's Budget Monitoring Sub-Committee that to reach the target by the end of March 2015, around 9,000 new-build starts would be needed by this autumn. Only a third of these had been confirmed by the end of September.
At the meeting, Richard Blakeway, Deputy Mayor for Housing, said there was no "guillotine point" for new starts, but his colleague David Lunts, Executive Director for Housing, confirmed that building new affordable homes takes at least 12 months from the first spade hitting the ground. On average, a new-build will take 18 months from start to completion.
Darren Johnson, Chair of the Housing Committee, said: "The chance of the Mayor meeting his affordable homes target of 55,000 homes by March 2015 is looking increasingly vulnerable as the months march by with little progress made on the number of homes actually started.
"London is facing a housing crisis with demand outstripping supply. Over the next few months, we need a rapid increase in the number of homes started on site. The Committee needs to see real evidence that the Mayor can still meet his pledge to build 55,000 affordable homes that are vital for Londoners."
(CD/JP)
It is understood another 5,000 new-build homes will need to be started in the next 4.5 months if it is to be met.
In June 2013, the GLA stated at the Assembly's Budget Monitoring Sub-Committee that to reach the target by the end of March 2015, around 9,000 new-build starts would be needed by this autumn. Only a third of these had been confirmed by the end of September.
-- Advertisement --
At the meeting, Richard Blakeway, Deputy Mayor for Housing, said there was no "guillotine point" for new starts, but his colleague David Lunts, Executive Director for Housing, confirmed that building new affordable homes takes at least 12 months from the first spade hitting the ground. On average, a new-build will take 18 months from start to completion.
Darren Johnson, Chair of the Housing Committee, said: "The chance of the Mayor meeting his affordable homes target of 55,000 homes by March 2015 is looking increasingly vulnerable as the months march by with little progress made on the number of homes actually started.
"London is facing a housing crisis with demand outstripping supply. Over the next few months, we need a rapid increase in the number of homes started on site. The Committee needs to see real evidence that the Mayor can still meet his pledge to build 55,000 affordable homes that are vital for Londoners."
(CD/JP)
Latest Construction News
17/01/2025
Leeds Trinity University has officially opened its newly refurbished City Campus at 1 Trevelyan Square in Leeds.
Completed by GRAHAM Interior Fit-Out, the transformation of the central Leeds site introduces state-of-the-art facilities designed to improve learning and collaborate with industry partn
17/01/2025
Trammell Crow Company (TCC) has secured planning permission for a Grade A logistics scheme in Heywood, Greater Manchester, following a successful planning appeal.
The development will feature two state-of-the-art industrial and logistics buildings. One building will house two units measuring 4,796
17/01/2025
Poole-based developer AJC Group has celebrated a record-breaking 2024, delivering 100 affordable homes, a significant increase from the 72 units completed in the previous year.
Since 2023, AJC Group has completed and handed over 172 affordable homes across five sites.
In 2024 alone, the developer
17/01/2025
Plans for one of the most ambitious parks projects in London have taken a significant step forward, with Haringey Council securing nearly two additional acres of land around The Paddock nature reserve in Tottenham Hale.
The agreement with Thames Water marks a major milestone in the transformation o
17/01/2025
Islington Council has unveiled two draft guidance documents aimed at helping residents, businesses, and developers combat climate change by making buildings more energy efficient and fostering a greener, healthier borough.
The consultation seeks feedback on the draft Climate Action Supplementary Pl
17/01/2025
The City of Wolverhampton Council has unveiled a £98 million investment plan over the next five years to develop around 500 new homes across the city.
The proposal, part of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, received Cabinet approval this week and now moves to Full Council for final
17/01/2025
Croydon Council has announced a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Purley Pool site, with revised proposals submitted for a new leisure centre, later living housing, and the regeneration of the surrounding area.
A planning application for the site was initially submitted in 2024, pro
17/01/2025
The City of Wolverhampton Council has announced that demolition work has commenced on the New Park Village estate, marking the start of a major £40 million redevelopment project to transform outdated council housing.
Contractor DSM Demolition has begun pulling down poor-quality bungalows on Valley
17/01/2025
Hillingdon Council has acquired 12 new homes at Carpenters Court in Uxbridge.
Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards and Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, visited the site to officially mark the handover of the properties from local developer Kearns Devel
17/01/2025
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show's 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design.
Established 26 years ago, th
