Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has promised that her new housing scheme will not deliver “a load of ugly houses.”
Five-Year Target of 1.5 Million Houses
Rayner has announced that the planning system will lead the way to hit the five-year target of building 1.5 million houses.
New Housing Scheme Deemed ‘Controversial’
The new planning development has come under much pressure due to the sheer volume and the latest methods that will be adopted.
Rayner Blamed for ‘Ugly Homes’
Shadow housing secretary Kemi Badenoch blamed Rayner for green lighting, part of the new planning reforms for “1.5 million ugly homes” in England.
Government to Eliminate Aesthetic Factor
Badenoch stipulated that the new government wants to eliminate the “beautiful” aspect requirement for the new housing.
Rayner States Is Subjective
However, Ms Rayner has said that it is subjective and difficult to define, resulting in inconsistent decision-making applications.
Plans to Build the Required Infrastructure
Rayner has promised that her planning changes will not result in “a load of ugly houses” and plans to build more GP surgeries, roads and schools around the proposed developments.
Construction Where Houses Are Needed
The new housebuilding targets aim to increase construction in areas with high housing demand.
New Rebuilds to Keep With the Area
The housing secretary spoke on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine Show and said that the new rebuilds are planned to keep with the area and be “safe, warm and sustainable.”
New Development to Come With Needed Infrastructure
The deputy prime minister has said that it’s crucial that the locals have a say and that they could be reassured if the developments came with infrastructure that relieves the pressure on the already overworked public services.
Rayner Has Heard the People
Rayner told ITV’s This Morning that she has heard the people: the roads are congested and people can’t get a GP appointment, so infrastructure is vital.
Right-To-Buy Policies Under Review
Hints have also been made that the new government will restrict the right-to-buy policies to people who have been in their homes for a long time.
Reduction of Discounted Rate for Council Tenants
The government is also speculated to reduce the discounted rate at which council tenants can buy their homes.
Rayner Explains Challenge With Right-To-Buy Changes
Rayner has shed further light on the buying policy, stating, “The real challenge we’ve got at the moment is that the 2012 changes to the right to buy meant that we can’t replace the stock because taxpayers are funding us creating social homes.”
Can’t Replace Them Once Sold
She added, “Then we’re not able to replace them once they are sold off at a highly discounted rate.”
More Building Allowed on” Green Belt”
Housebuilders have welcomed the changes to the new planning system, allowing more buildings to be built on the “green belt.”
Mandatory Construction Targets Set
If the councils fail to reach their mandatory construction targets, building on the low-quality “green belt” can commence.
New Definition for “Low Quality Green Belt Land”
A new definition of “low quality green belt land” will be provided.
“Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder”
Rayner has said that a new method to determine the need for housing will be used and is still under review but defended the decision to remove the requirement for new homes to be “beautiful.”
Too Much Pressure on the Word ‘Beautiful’
Rayner has said that all the word ‘beautiful’ has done was “blocking preventing and development. That’s why we think it’s too subjective …I don’t buy this idea that I’m just going to build a load of ugly houses.”
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Rupert Rivett.