Dogs bark, housebuilders gripe. It is therefore no surprise that housebuilders are less than happy with demands for more affordable homes in return for planning permission. More surprising, though, is that these complaints are finding increasingly sympathetic ears among social landlords concerned by what seems to be over-reliance on an unwieldy planning system to deliver affordable homes.

There are always going to be those who ask why housebuilders should be expected to subsidise housing for the less well-off when supermarkets aren't expected to hand out free food. Most, though, are pragmatic enough to accept that that policy door, like free eye tests and student grants, has long since been bolted.

The argument really centres on what maximum amount of affordable housing should be demanded without snuffing out housebuilders' profits. That's a daily dilemma facing housing associations and councils who are getting little guidance from those in the private sector. These firms, of course, have been baulking at the 50% targets set by the likes of Ken Livingstone but, as councils are only too aware, they are not averse to crying wolf.

In truth, who in social housing would mind housebuilders being asked to provide even more affordable homes, if it worked? But with statistics pointing to dwindling numbers of new houses of all hues, it's hard to argue that the planning quota system works. Undoubtedly all kinds of planning issues come into play here, not least nimbyism and bureaucracy. With little concrete evidence to point to, it's difficult to draw hard and fast conclusions.

With the number of new houses dwindling, it’s hard to argue that the planning quota system works

Sadly, few in the sector believe the proposed planning shake-up set out in the green paper will offer any immediate hope of narrowing the widening gap between supply and demand.The proposed tariff system has few supporters. Housebuilders acknowledge it may be more transparent, but it's still about exacting a pound of flesh. Social landlords worry that because the money would not be ringfenced, the proposals could lead to fewer homes being built rather than more – one area the new planning minister will surely be looking at closely.

Not surprisingly, there is an increasing clamour for more money, both directly and through the release of capital receipts, to bolster the supply of new affordable homes. There is also a growing feeling that the right to buy has had its day. All equally valid issues for the new minister's in-tray.

Source

Housing Today