HBF Planning Conference

HBF Planning Conference 2013
25 September - Austin Court, Birmingham

Planning minister Nick Boles has appealed to housebuilders to look beyond their “net value” and to their responsibilities to the British public on the run up to the general election.

Speaking at HBF's planning conference today (September 25), sponsored by Gladman and Barton Willmore, Boles referred to the Labour party's alternative approach to housing as a "real and present threat", to the coalition's "liberal approach" which allowed "housebuilders to do things whilst protecting what is precious".

He expressed surprise that few housebuilders had been appealing against difficult local authorities - one of the powers handed to the industry. "This is an example of short term interests undermining the long term interests of the people who rely on you to build," Boles said.

The minister turned to housing design, which he said was another example of housebuilders focusing too much on figures and spending. He compelled delegates to instead apply a "family and friends" test to help build homes that would be accepted.

"Ask yourself - 'would I be happy for my parents to live in this house that I've built? Would I be happy for people at a dinner party I attend to know that I built those homes at the end of the street? And would I be happy for this house to be built next to my home?'"

He added that the quality of housebuilding was improving, but there was "still a long way to go" before people would accept new homes in their town which were often seen as "ugly" by objectors.

Referring back to Labour’s housing proposals he said:"If we don't manage to achieve this, we know there is an alternative. We might get more homes, but they won't be done with your consent and will not produce beautiful, organic communities."