The North-West Development Agency is to take a more hands-on role in housing policy.
The regional development agency, which covers Manchester and Liverpool, will map out its new role in the regional economic strategy it plans to publish at the end of next month.

The NWDA's priority will be to offer economic under-pinning to housing schemes, and ensure that agencies involved in housing work to a common agenda.

Assistant chief executive Nick Gerrard stressed that NWDA has no plans to act as a housebuilder or funder. However, funds might be available to strengthen the local economy or improve the environment in targeted housing areas.

The strategy will set out the agency's role in maximising the impact of housing initiatives pursued by housing market renewal pathfinders, urban regeneration companies, English Partnerships and other bodies. The NWDA covers four housing market renewal pathfinders tackling low demand.

The NWDA will also be more proactive in bringing forward land under Land Management Action plans, which will identify suitable brownfield sites and clear away legal or practical obstacles to their development.

In rural areas, it will support the area's regional rural recovery plan.

Source

Housing Today