3 pledges to take away from the UK Government’s latest housing reforms

Speaking at the Charted Institute of Housing conference in Manchester, the Secretary of State, pledged an array of proposals to reform the housing market.

Here are 3 to take away from the speech:

Speeding up the planning process

The UK Government is making great strides in its commitment to build 300,000 new homes per year by the mid-2020s. It wants to build on this progress by reducing the amount of time it takes to achieve planning permission for new housing developments. An ‘accelerated planning’ green paper will be unveiled later this year to establish how the planning process can be simplified, less bureaucratic and timely.

Building more affordable homes

Until now, the UK Government’s affordable homes bonus scheme has run for a period of 3 to 4 years. With 430,000 affordable homes delivered since its inception in 2010, the programme has been extended for a further 10 years. This long-term commitment will provide housing associations with the ability to address the affordable homes shortage in the regions that desperately need it.

New Homes Ombudsman

Whilst recognising there is a dire need to increase house building, the necessity to ensure it is not at the detriment of quality is just as strong. A New Homes Ombudsman is to be appointed, potentially in shadow form, to work closely with the industry, consumer groups and government to bring about improvements and standards quickly.

At M. Lambe Construction we are already helping the Midlands’ leading housebuilders deliver the high-quality homes and infrastructure the UK desperately needs, and they are very happy with our dedication.

Simon Hudson, Construction Director, Bellway Homes, said of our approach: “Thank you for your contribution and support over the last twelve months enabling Bellway South Midlands to deliver an exceptional result in our first financial year. Through your hard work and commitment, this volume has not been at the expense of quality, noted in two of our site managers receiving NHBC ‘Pride in the Job Awards’. Thank you.”

Gavin Jones, Production Director, Miller Homes, also said: “We appointed M. Lambe Construction to undertake civil engineering works, Section 278 works, highway upgrades and deliver new estate infrastructure for a 243 unit housing development in Mickleover, Derbyshire. Right from the off, they were very professional in their approach and had a can-do attitude. They really embraced the ethos of what we wanted to achieve here: the delivery of homes built to outstanding quality.”

So, if you’d like to work with a civil engineering and groundworks specialist, who will work with you in collaboration to deliver projects to the highest levels of quality, health and safety and environmental management, complete the form below and send us your details or call us on 0121 554 2108 to talk with one of our experts.