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County councils to examine ways to get involved in housing market
A project examining new ways in which county councils provide housing has been announced.
County councils do not typically provide or build new housing, a function that is normally reserved for district level authorities.
Nonetheless, in recent months some counties have begun taking up strategic development functions, with Surrey County Council establishing a joint venture with Places for People in December.
The joint project between the County Councils Network (CCN) and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) will explore what CCN member authorities are achieving with current powers.
It will showcase councils that are leading the way in providing housing and “unlocking development through partnerships and direct delivery,” according to a CCN statement. It will do this via a survey and a series of case studies.
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Philip Atkins, spokesperson for housing, planning and infrastructure at CCN, said it will show the important role county councils play in delivering housing by working with partners and local councils to “deliver the right kind of homes backed by adequate infrastructure”.
He said: “The housing crisis is not confined to cities and the South East; prices in many other county areas are becoming increasingly unaffordable, with property prices rising treble the amount of house price rises in London.
“There is also a lack of affordable homes in county areas, with just 26% of new homes built since 2011 being classified as affordable.”
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the TCPA, said the charity was “delighted” to work on the project and demonstrate that county councils are “a fundamental part of the solution to meeting the nation’s need for more affordable homes”.
She added: “Through a survey and a series of case studies the project will explore innovative approaches being taken by counties that are working in partnership to secure better outcomes for people and places, particularly through scaling up housing delivery using council assets, such as land, skills and finance.”
