Our regular policy update

14/04/08

Michelle Chivunga, the South East Branch Policy and Practice Officer (right), gives an update on the Branch's policy work over the last few months, and plans for the year ahead.

'Another successful South East conference in March again provided an opportunity to have some lively debate on key housing policy issues including supply, delivery, housing tenure, planning and environmental sustainability issues.

Housing and Regeneration Bill

There were interesting discussions on the functions and potential outcomes of the new Homes and Communities Agency. At the same time, some anxiety was expressed over the proposed regulatory powers of Oftenant, the new independent Office for Tenants and Social Landlords. CIH is working with ministers, MPs and others to ensure that Oftenant encompasses the whole social housing domain.

As the Housing and Regeneration Bill faces its parliamentary stage, the industry will no doubt continue to debate over elements of the first amendment to the bill calling for more resources to build and repair council homes. However, this has been rejected by the majority of MPs.

South East buy-to-let report

Fears over the stability of the housing market continue due to the credit crisis, as the market weakens with reducing house prices. The Land Registry indicated that the average house price in the South East now stands at £230,717.

Following our South East buy-to-let report launched in January, we will analyse the impact of the credit crunch in this particular market to understand potential effects for mortgages, lenders, landlords and overall rental activity in the South East region. Lenders are withdrawing mortgage products and tightening lending criteria, so more people are finding it difficult to get a mortgage.
Buy-to-let in the South East - What does it mean for the region? (pdf - 1.6mb)

Supply of housing

We will also be focusing on the issue of increasing the supply of housing. Many regions, such as the South East, face significant barriers - funding shortages, complex planning negotiations over S106 agreements and public opposition to rural affordable housing. Considering that housing, especially affordable housing, is crucial to achieving economic performance and overall growth, it is important to find ways of overcoming these barriers.

Planning system

Reforms within the planning system have been ongoing - they are critical to speeding up housing delivery. Developments are urgently needed to unlock the planning system. We need efficiency and transparency in decision-making to enable timely projects. And strategic planning, when dealing with larger infrastructure projects, is critical. The Government clearly aims to continue improving the system having announced its new review - 'Planning Applications' - and by increasing investment by £3.2 million in Planning Aid funding.

Skills for Success

There is a need for housing professionals to work more with planning professionals. Local authorities need to be equipped with the right skills and have the capacity to fulfil their strategic function, be able to understand the planning application process and effectively negotiate each stage.

CIH, commissioned by IDeA, has published a report into the capacity of local authorities to undertake the strategic housing role, making these connections. Further analysis into the planning system and links with the strategic housing role will be undertaken to provide a clearer picture.
Download the Skills for Success report from the CIH website (pdf - 514kb)

Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration

This long-awaited follow-up consultation is now available.
Download the review from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website (pdf - 490kb)

In the year ahead, I will be taking forward projects in these key areas - with a major focus on the planning system review and links to strategic housing. I welcome any comments, especially from those involved in planning initiatives and projects in the South East region.

There may be some other areas of policy that you would like to see covered in more detail - do please let me know.'

Michelle Chivunga, South East Policy Officer
t: 020 7520 3389
e: michelle.chivunga@cih.org