In response to government proposals announced today, where
Councils would be required to approve new development on
brownfield land even if it fails to meet standards for decent
quality homes; be encouraged to repurpose former commercial
buildings into flats; and remove restrictions on how big a
building can be before a developer has to apply for planning
permission [1], Green Party co-leader, , said:
“Greens believe that tackling the housing crisis while ensuring
green spaces are protected requires local councils and government
to sign up to a new Right Homes, Right Place, Right Price Charter
[2].
“Brown field sites are definitely the right place to prioritise
new or repurposed housing. However, they must be the right homes
– decent homes built to the highest environmental standards to
bring down energy bills. Developments must also provide the kind
of housing where people actually want to live – then it will be
supported by local communities. We must not allow developers to
ride roughshod over local wishes. Windowless bedsits in converted
office blocks that fail to meet decent space standards will not
be considered the right homes for the vast majority of
people.
“Not once in the Government's new consultation on developing on
brownfield sites is the word ‘affordable’ mentioned.
Affordability is fundamentally important. This means a huge
increase in new social housing, and ending the Tories ‘Right to
Buy’ policy on these homes, which is causing a massive nationwide
reduction in council housing [2]. Councils must also be given
powers to introduce rent controls in areas where private rents
are out of control, alongside a ban on no-fault evictions to stop
unscrupulous landlords making tenants homeless just so they can
increase rents between tenancies.”
Notes:
1. Strengthening planning policy
for brownfield development - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
2. Greens call for Right Homes,
Right Place, Right Price Charter to beat housing crisis and
protect green space | The Green Party
3. https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/almost-60000-homes-sold-through-right-buy-will-not-be-replaced-2030
