<p><span>The housing secretary James Brokenshire has announced a new homes ombudsman as part of a package of housing measures and updates.</span></p> <p><span>Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, Brokenshire said that the government would introduce a new homes ombudsman that “will champion homebuyers, protect their interests and hold developers to account.”</span><span></span></p> <p><span>The government said that under legislation, developers would be required to join the ombudsman. It will publish further details of its plans “in due course”. The announcement follows a consultation – <i>Strengthening consumer redress in the housing market </i>– which closed in April. </span></p> <p><span>Brokenshire also announced plans to consult on further measures to accelerate the planning system and utilise land and vacant buildings. The measures include a new permitted development right to extend upwards on existing flats, shops and offices.</span></p> <p><span>And local authorities will be handed greater powers to deliver garden communities with the government publishing clearer rules “to give more certainty for communities when land is needed to make this a reality,” MHCLG said. </span></p> <p><span>Councils will also have more freedom to utilise existing brownfield land and dispose of surplus land “that could instead accommodate new homes”. </span></p> <p><span>During his speech, Brokenshire revealed housing plans for …