Michael Gove Announces Easing of Planning Rules to Boost City Centre Housing

In a bid to address the housing crisis and create more homes in the heart of the UK’s cities, Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, has unveiled plans to relax planning rules in England. The move aims to make it easier to convert vacant retail premises and betting shops into residential flats and houses. However, critics raise concerns about potential drawbacks, as such conversions have been associated with poor-quality housing.

Government’s Commitment and Challenges

As the government reaffirms its commitment to building one million homes before the 2024 election, a recent report by the Commons housing committee indicates that while progress is being made toward the one million homes target, meeting the additional goal of delivering 300,000 new homes annually by the mid-2020s might prove challenging.

The government faced resistance from its own MPs, particularly those representing rural constituencies, when it had to adjust its housing targets for local councils. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, emphasizes that the focus should be on building homes where they are most needed and where there is local support, rather than overdeveloping rural areas.

Gove’s Vision for Urban Regeneration

In a speech delivered in central London, Michael Gove lays out the government’s determination to concentrate efforts on urban regeneration instead of expanding into undeveloped land. To achieve this, Gove plans to facilitate the conversion of shops, takeaways, and betting shops into residential properties, thereby increasing the availability of housing options.

Already, some commercial properties can be converted into homes without the need for planning permission under the existing “permitted development rights” legislation. This provision resulted in over 10,000 properties being converted into residential units between 2021 and 2022.

Balancing Quality and Accessibility

While the government’s efforts aim to address the housing demand, concerns have been raised by the Local Government Association about the suitability of converting offices, shops, and barns into homes. There are fears that such conversions might lead to the creation of substandard housing, which could adversely affect residents’ living conditions.

Gove also plans to ease rules on building extensions to commercial buildings and repurposing agricultural buildings, as part of the broader strategy to boost housing supply.

Investing in Planning Authorities and Project Acceleration

To accelerate large-scale developments, the government has allocated £24 million to train planning authorities. The goal is to equip these authorities with the necessary tools and expertise to streamline the planning process effectively. Half of this funding is newly allocated, while the rest will come from the department’s existing budget.

Additionally, a “super squad” of planners will be formed with an investment of £13.5 million. This team’s mandate is to unblock specific projects, and their first task will focus on a development in Cambridge. Developers will be required to pay higher fees to fund improvements to the planning system.

Potential Backlash and Dialogue with Local Communities

Despite the government’s efforts, signs of opposition have emerged, including criticism from Conservative MP Anthony Browne, who represents South Cambridgeshire. He expressed his intention to resist what he sees as the imposition of mass housebuilding on Cambridge, citing concerns over water supply limitations.

In response, Rishi Sunak clarifies that the government’s aim is not mass house building in Cambridge but rather the addition of a new urban quarter to the city. He emphasizes the importance of conducting developments in dialogue with local communities and not disregarding their views.

Calls for Greater Ambition and Social Housing Investment

While Gove’s policies have been viewed as a positive start by the National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations, they also call for more significant investment in social housing to address the need for affordable homes and lower rents.

Striking a Balance and Labour’s Proposed Solutions

Housing charity Shelter, while praising Gove for taking proactive steps in housing development, warns against the potential creation of substandard and unsafe homes resulting from converting takeaways into residential units.

The Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer, has proposed granting English councils more powers to build on green belt land. However, they emphasize that new developments should not compromise the beauty of the countryside. Labour also plans to reintroduce local housing targets and reform the planning system to facilitate construction on brownfield sites.

Conclusion

– Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, announces plans to relax planning rules in England to address the housing crisis and create more homes in city centers.
– The initiative aims to facilitate the conversion of empty retail premises and betting shops into residential flats and houses.
– Critics express concerns about potential poor-quality housing resulting from such conversions.
– The government is committed to building one million homes before the 2024 election but faces challenges in delivering 300,000 new homes annually by the mid-2020s.
– Resistance from MPs in rural constituencies forced the government to adjust housing targets for local councils to avoid overdevelopment in rural areas.
– Gove emphasizes the focus on urban regeneration rather than expanding into undeveloped land, intending to make it easier to convert various commercial properties into homes.
– The Local Government Association warns about the suitability of converting some properties and the risk of substandard homes.
– The government plans to invest £24 million to train planning authorities and form a “super squad” of planners to accelerate specific projects.
– Opposition emerges from some government backbenchers over fears of mass housebuilding in certain areas.
– The National Housing Federation calls for more investment in social housing to meet affordable housing needs.
– Labour proposes giving English councils more powers to build on green belt land but insists on preserving the countryside’s beauty.
– Shelter warns about the potential of converting takeaways into substandard and unsafe homes.
– Striking a balance between housing demand and quality, and involving local communities remains a challenge for the government.

The issue of housing development in the UK remains complex, balancing the pressing need for more homes with concerns about housing quality, environmental impact, and community involvement. As the government proceeds with its plans to relax planning rules and boost urban regeneration, addressing these challenges will be crucial to achieving sustainable and equitable housing solutions.