Press Releases

• BPF calls for planning policy that accelerates delivery of Build-to-Rent, senior living and student accommodation to unlock new investment
• Delivery of affordable homes should be driven at local not national level reflecting varying market conditions
• Consistent method needed for setting employment space targets to create jobs and infrastructure for new communities

The British Property Federation (BPF) has called for planning policy that supports the development of homes of all tenure in order to deliver a step change in delivery. 

In its consultation response on revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which closed yesterday evening, the BPF strongly welcomes the intention to put all forms of development activity at heart of the Government’s growth agenda and achieve a step change in housing delivery.

The  BPF has urged the Government  to place greater focus on sites than can deliver a mix of tenures such as Build-to-Rent, senior living, affordable housing and student accommodation as well as private homes for sale. In its evidence the BPF highlights that high-quality homes for rent of all types support people at different life stages, can be delivered more quickly than homes for sale and can be delivered throughout the economic cycle as they are typically funded by institutional investors with a long-term outlook.

The BPF strongly supports the Government’s ambition for a step change in the delivery of affordable and social housing, but highlights the challenges of a ‘top-down’ approach to affordable housing. Standardised targets, for example the proposed 50% target for all released green belt sites, do not take into consideration market conditions on the ground and how local infrastructure investment could impact viability. The BPF recommends local authorities determine precise affordable housing targets to reflect market dynamics and need.

Alongside increasing housing delivery the BPF has pointed to the need for planning policy to support the delivery of employment space and infrastructure to create jobs and sustainable communities.

It has welcomed the introduction of strategic planning to ensure that economically significant developments, such as logistics hubs, are assessed at the appropriate national or regional level. The BPF has also called for a consistent method for allocating land for employment uses, arguing that housing targets must align with employment space targets to create places with job opportunities and local amenities where people want to live.

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation, said:

“The Government has quickly recognised that to drive economic growth and deliver more homes we need a planning system that is fit for purpose and we fully support the overall intent of the changes proposed.

“Now is the time to create a policy framework that will supercharge the delivery of homes of all tenures, including Build-to-Rent and affordable homes.

“New homes and the communities they sit within require critical infrastructure, including logistics, and jobs in order to be economically sustainable.  Housing targets must align with employment space targets so we create places where people want to live.

“Alongside the positive policy changes proposed by the Government we need to have a planning system that is resourced to respond.  We need to ensure planning departments and statutory consultees have the resources they need to meet increasing demand and help turn the Government’s bold vision into reality.”

You can read the full BPF response here.