Guiding assurance: the secret to expansion and development

In an effort to address the ongoing housing crisis and the North-South economic divide, a new approach is being taken to streamline the development process and ensure certainty for developers. Neil Murray, CEO of Impact Data Metrics, shares his insights on this transformative strategy.

The government has initiated a plan to empower development corporations with the ability to seize brownfield land and grant swift planning permission, aiming to accelerate the delivery of new homes. This approach mirrors successful development corporations from the 1980s, such as those in Merseyside and London Docklands.

However, Murray emphasizes that there is no single solution to the housing crisis or the economic divide. Instead, the focus should be on innovative thinking, good data, and funding to tackle this complex issue.

The English Cities Fund, a partnership between Legal & General, Homes England, and Muse, is making a significant impact in various locations. In Salford Central and Manor Road, Canning Town, they are working on ambitious projects that consider the wider economy and environment, as well as the local context.

These projects not only deliver homes but also create local amenities, employment opportunities, and education provision. For instance, developments in Salford and Canning Town often include access to education and training centres, local business hubs, and community services aimed at benefiting local residents and supporting regional workforce growth. Institutions like the University of Bolton serve nearby areas, and developments often integrate job creation and skills programs tailored to local needs to ensure alignment with community and regional demands.

Developers have expressed concerns due to the constant change in government policies, making it difficult for them to make decisions. To encourage housebuilders to focus on building homes instead of land acquisition, there is a need for certainty over planning policy.

The housing crisis requires more than just construction; it necessitates a holistic view around any development, considering local amenities, jobs, business landscape, local skills requirements, and education provision. Building the right product for the right people in the right place is crucial, recognizing that housing is a key part of the overall economy and environment.

To unblock the log-jam in housing delivery, development corporations, equipped with the right resources, responsibilities, and statutory powers, could play a pivotal role. The ultimate goal is to take the politics out of the process and create a more certain environment for developers to move forward and deliver the thousands of new homes needed to address the housing crisis.