INDUSTRY NEWS 5
Lloyds Bank and Homes England join forces
Partnership hit this important milestone. Supporting SMEs housebuilders to expand their businesses is an important part of our mission and vital if we are to create a more robust and resilient housing market. A lack of competition in the housebuilding sector stifles the entrepreneurial ambition we need to increase the pace and quality of what we build, and this is precisely what HGP is seeking to address.”
embedded in planning policy. “More broadly, the ‘infrastructure first’ approach taken throughout recognises how crucial planning is in delivering on key housing commitments. The recognition of the need to ensure adequate funding for planning through a review of the fee structure is something we have long campaigned for, and is to be welcomed.
“Overall we applaud the ambition to create a world-class planning service. We have long recognised that the expertise of UK planners is widely acclaimed internationally.” However, the chief executive was less positive about the use of permitted development rights (PDRs) which Jenrick said would be extended by the summer to encourage councils and
The delivery and sale of 1,000 new homes across the UK has been supported by the Housing Growth Partnership (HGP) – a partnership between Lloyds Bank and Homes England.
Launched in 2015, HGP has provided over £120m of support to 44 housebuild- ing partners on 69 housing developments across the UK. To date, small and medium sized housebuilders have committed to build 3,500 new homes – of these, 1,000 have been sold.
Set up to support the growth of small and medium sized housebuilders across the UK, the partnership offers equity on a site-specific basis to support house- builders meet potential funding gaps, enabling them to help meet the demand for homes and grow their businesses. Alongside financial backing, HGP provides opportunities for mentoring support for housebuilders from “highly experienced industry experts,” said the new joint venture. So far, over 3,000 hours of mentoring support has been provided. Vic Hepburn, director of HGP, commented: “It is great to pass a milestone like this as we continue our support for the UK’s housebuilders. We are very fortunate to be able to partner with fantastic businesses that care passionately about the homes and communities they are delivering. 1,000 families have now taken ownership of new homes thanks to our partnerships, something that everyone involved with HGP is rightly proud of.”
Gordon Moore, chief investment officer of Homes England, added: “It’s incredibly encouraging to see Housing Growth
RTPI applauds ‘world-class ambitions’ for planning
Government plans to put good design and place-making at the heart of a reformed planning system have been welcomed by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Speaking in Parliament, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that the new system would champion tree-lined streets, a “fast track for beauty,” and greater opportunities for communities to influence design standards in their area. Reacting to the announcement, RTPI chief executive Victoria Hills said: “We are delighted that the Government intends to take forward many of the recommendations in the recent Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission report, which was clear about the crucial role played by the planning profession in place-making. “We are also pleased that the National Model Design Code will be used to set out clear parameters for promoting the design and style of homes and neighbourhoods that local people want to see, resulting in standards that are
developers to take a more innovative approach to home building. She continued: “The RTPI has long- standing concerns with the extension of permitted development rights which we feel will encourage a piecemeal, short- term approach. Extended PDRs risk poorly designed and inappropriately located housing and will make it more difficult for communities to have a say on development. It will also result in diminished developer contributions through application fees, which go towards affordable housing and infrastructure.” Victoria believes that “one encouraging
change” from when these proposals were first considered last year is that the Government says that new residential units should be ‘well-designed’ and meet natural light standards.
“I will be meeting with the Housing Minister Christopher Pincher next week and am looking forward to discussing PDRs in more detail then,” she concluded.
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