<p>The industry has largely welcomed housing measures announced in the Budget yesterday (October 27), but with some notes of caution sounded over the effectiveness of the brownfield fund in the face of other challenges.</p> <p>Jim Wood, md of Barratt London, applauded the government’s support for housebuilding, increased investment in the planning system and the opening up of more sites on derelict and brownfield land. “It is vital that we continue to increase housing supply to tackle the country’s shortage of homes, helping to create jobs and economic growth,” he said.</p> <p><span>The Budget “clearly demonstrated the chancellor’s commitment to housebuilding and the growing urgency for homes to become more sustainable,” stated Tim Nutt, md at Shanly Homes. The chancellor’s “promise to invest nearly £2billion into unused and derelict land to transform these spaces into new homes, will create new communities across the country who will be able to enjoy the positive benefits of regeneration”.</span></p><p></p> <p>Nutt also noted the intention to create 100 “pocket parks”, which “should improve wellbeing in areas that currently lack these facilities.” </p> <p>Hayfield was “enthused” by the announced £1.8 billion brownfield fund and the £65 million investment into digitising the planning system, said Andy Morris, the company's …