Localism must not become 'nimby's charter'
Housing bodies have warned that shifting responsibility for development to local authorities must not result in fewer homes, after legislation was unveiled in the Queen’s speech.
The Chartered Institute of Housing and National Housing Federation both said they backed the localism agenda, but that changes would have to be managed carefully to ensure much needed affordable homes are built.
A decentralisation and localism bill was among 22 pieces of legislation outlined by the government yesterday. It will shift power for house building and planning from central and regional government to local authorities.
Richard Capie, director of policy and practice at the CIH, said: ‘We need local communities to take the lead in ensuring enough new homes are built for current and future generations but we also need to be clear about securing homes in the cases where this falls short.’
David Orr, chief executive of the NHF, said: ‘It’s right that local communities should have a say on whether new homes and developments are built in their area– and we support the government’s localism agenda.
‘However, with waiting lists for social homes at record levels, we must ensure that this approach will still deliver the new homes the country desperately needs and does not become a nimby’s charter.’
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors echoed their views.
Mark Goodwin, director of external affairs, said: ‘The aspiration to devolve more powers to councils and neighbourhoods is laudable. However, critical to the success of this approach will be the design of mechanisms which will allow delivery of much needed housing, infrastructure and facilities despite possible objections from the few.’
The Queen’s speech also outlined bills on welfare reform and improving the energy efficiency of homes and businesses. The NHF and CIH both said it is important housing bodies are involved in these proposals.
The bills in detail
Decentralisation and localism bill
Will devolve powers from central and regional government to local authorities on key subjects including housing and planning, and seek to increase community involvement.
Specifically it will:
- abolish regional spatial strategies
- return decision making powers on housing and planning to councils
- require public bodies to publish the salaries of senior officials
- give residents the power to instigate local referendums on any issue
- create local housing trusts that would allow communities to grant planning permission for homes that meet local needs
- make it easier for communities to provide homes for local people
- review the housing revenue account.
Welfare reform bill
Will simplify the benefits system and improve incentives to find work by:
- Making people see they can gain by entering work
- Reducing the scope for fraud and error
- Reducing administration
Energy security and green economy bill
Will introduce a national energy efficiency programme for homes and businesses, reform energy markets, and put in place a framework for the development of a ‘smart grid’ to change how supply and demand is managed.
From a housing perspective, the main element will be the introduction of the Conservative’s green deal scheme, where homes will be eligible for £6,500 of energy efficiency improvements paid for over time through reduced bills.
Police reform and social responsibility bill
Will strengthen links between police and residents by allowing elected individuals to hold the police to account. There will also be tougher immigration controls, and stronger powers to tackle alcohol fuelled crime and disorder.
Public bodies (reform) bill
Will give ministers the power to abolish, merge or transfer public bodies into government departments. The Conservatives have said they want to slash the number of these quangos, and social housing regulator the Tenant Services Authority is expected to be in the firing line.
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Readers' comments (6)
Anonymous | 26/05/2010 9:08 am
This good news as such matters must be dealt with locally according to needs of the respective LA. But this does not mean land grabbing or not providing sites travellers.
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Bannside | 26/05/2010 9:44 am
With the, "waiting list for social homes at record levels", we need local communities to take a lead to ensure such homes are provided. But, building new homes is not the only answer. There are thousands of properties left empty for no good reason lying in waste across the country. Many of these wasted homes are in the public sector and many more are in the private sector. Bringing empty properties back to use will fit a localist agenda and should be encouraged.
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Harry Lime | 26/05/2010 11:21 am
Hmmmm replace "Must Not" with "will" and I think you'll get the far more likely outcome. 90% approval for local planning "referendums" What is possibly in an application for private housing (with s106 affordable) to existing locals who have a house and will be asked for their vote??
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Sancho | 26/05/2010 11:51 am
Harry, I agree with you. Localism = Nimbyism in my view. Whether this is necessarily bad, I don't know. I suppose you could say it's democracy in action.
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Anonymous | 26/05/2010 1:45 pm
I worry that localism will become, "Only in our back yard" where organised self servers will benefit at the expense of others.
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Vernon Yarker | 15/07/2010 9:28 pm
Some councils of course will build more homes but for others it will be a get out clause. Generally people who wish to move into an area have no political influence when it comes to local elections, so if the intention was that it would all be sorted out by democratic means, then that is a non starter.
So what pressures can be bought upon councils who do not wish to erect more affordable homes ? Sooner or later somebody in Government is going to have to direct these to start building !
The whole fabric of this is pretty worn before its even started and one can see it is going to end in reversal somewhere down the line
Vernony
Chairman
The Shelteredhousinguk.com
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