The Labour government has committed to constructing 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029, a significant initiative aimed at addressing the ongoing housing crisis and stimulating economic growth. A new report from the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) rings alarm bells over whether all this tall ambition can actually be delivered.
The EAC’s report critiques the current measures outlined in the government’s housing bill, stating that they fall short of what is necessary to meet the proposed targets. The report emphasizes that simply increasing housing supply is not sufficient if underlying issues within the planning system are not addressed.
Specifically, the EAC points to a number of causes of repeated and costly delays, and challenges in overall housing delivery. According to the committee, “In most cases, housing delivery is delayed or challenged due to unclear and conflicting policies, land banking and skills shortages.” These hurdles will need to be cleared to successfully deliver on the administration’s affordable housing goals.
Additionally, the report cautions against treating environmental and community considerations as something to be overcome in order to achieve development. The EAC asserts that “the government must not veer down the path of viewing nature as an inconvenience or blocker to housebuilding.” This assumption can not only slow us down significantly, but create bad solutions to the real issues with our planning system.
Future investments envisioned by the Labour government go beyond connecting workers to jobs, helping reduce housing scarcity and supporting a more stable economy. The EAC’s findings suggest that without a comprehensive strategy that reconciles environmental protection with housing needs, these objectives may remain unattainable.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government defended the government’s approach, stating, “The Government inherited a failing system that delayed new homes and infrastructure while doing nothing for nature’s recovery.” This comment underscores the complexity of the situation, highlighting both the urgency for new housing and the importance of safeguarding natural environments.