Actions not words please, Mr Gove
The Queen’s Speech and the ensuing briefing documents this week appear to show that the Government is back-tracking on or perhaps stalling plans to “build, build, build” more houses.
There was no reference to the Government’s bid to facilitate the development of 300,000 homes a year by the middle of this decade and nothing on the pledge to create “growth areas”, where developers would have automatic planning permission.
This has led to speculation that the Government has changed tack as, instead, the emphasis seems to be on giving communities a bigger say and better protecting precious green spaces.
The briefing document said the reform was to ensure that the environment is further prioritised in planning decisions.
A Social Housing Regulation
Bill, designed to increase tenants’ rights to better homes and to enable them to hold landlords to account was also mentioned, along with a Renters’ Reform Bill, which will abolish so-called no-fault evictions while strengthening landlords’ rights of possession for valid reasons.
It is all very laudable and let’s hope it comes to pass, though I won’t hold my breath.
One local councillor in my town has put together a perfect Local Plan, praised as an exemplar, but getting it adopted is taking forever.
Meantime, our area has had a slew of planning applications for housing developments. Some welcome, others definitely not.
So the message is: actions not words please, Mr Gove.
Sharon Dale,