As it prepares to issue new guidance for the North-east, experts predict that regional plans will have to show far greater re-use of housing land and buildings.
The government is questioning assumptions that housing has a long-term future and has already increased the brownfield building target to 65% in the North-east, and to 70% in the North-west.
It sent a strongly worded letter to the North West Assembly last month on its draft plans, saying it wanted to avoid the premature release of greenfield land that would "undermine" attempts to promote land recycling. It slashed the target for new housebuilding in the region by 15%.
It said tackling low demand and abandonment "lies at the heart of the revised government strategy" and underlined the importance of the nine pathfinders for the housing market renewal fund.
It has asked for comments on a recommendation from the House of Commons select committee inquiry into empty homes that greenfield building should be halted completely where brownfield sites exist.
The North West Assembly said the government had used a "simplistic assumption" that existing empties meant new homes were not needed. Planning director Tim Hill said a clampdown on all greenfield land use was "quite dangerous" and would prevent social landlords in Cumbria from building essential rural housing.
The North East Assembly said the government has rejected its attempts to get the target for new housebuilding increased. Assistant director regional development Malcolm Bowes said: "We've had two bites at the cherry but not convinced the government. We will look at the options for vacant properties. But we do not think use of greenfield land can be stopped altogether."
Prime Focus Group head of group strategy Brendan Nevin said the argument on market renewal is now a question of delivery. "We have to go into a different frame of mind now and think about making it happen. The starting point is to review all of the strategies – some will have to be rewritten."
Speaking on behalf of the association Sir Peter Hall said that in the South-east only 22,000 homes were built against the government's proposed 39,000. "Only 13,000 homes were built on brownfield – exactly one third of the 39,000 target," he added.
"The obsession with building on brownfield sites at all costs has led directly to the escalating crisis of housing supply and affordability in the south east."
Source
Housing Today
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