Govt publishes industry section 106 guidance
The government has endorsed and published new guidance on section 106 affordable housing engagement, developed by industry bodies including the Home Builders Federation (HBF). The publication, National section 106 affordable housing engagement guidance, states a shared commitment by housebuilders, local authorities and housing associations to work together to ensure early engagement and transparency with the section 106 process, to deliver social and affordable homes.
Katie Lam appointed shadow housing secretary
Katie Lam has become shadow housing secretary following a shadow cabinet reshuffle and the departure of predecessor James Cleverly. Lam, a relative newcomer, is the first ever MP for the Weald of Kent, a new constituency created in the July 2024 election when Lam entered parliament. Before becoming shadow housing secretary, she was shadow home office minister and opposition assistant whip.
Planning staff shortages worsen – HBF/Paragon Bank
Nine in ten local authority planning departments (LPAs) in England and Wales are understaffed, delaying planning decisions over new homes and compromising the government’s homes target, according to research from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Paragon Bank. The companies’ Planning on Empty report, based on a Freedom of Information (FoI) survey of local authorities across England and Wales, also reveals that planning departments are working at an average of only 80% of the staffing levels they say they need. On average
First tranche of SAHP announced
The government has announced the first tranche of the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP), with almost £10 billion allocated to deliver more than 70,000 social and affordable homes across England. The first wave will go to 33 strategic partners outside London, including councils, housing associations and other providers. Partners include Cambridge City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Orbit Group and Vistry. Around 60% of the homes will be built for social rent.
Govt launches mayoral planning powers consultation
The government has launched a consultation on planning powers for mayors in England, including a proposal to grant mayors outside London “call in” powers on certain schemes, determining their outcome under “applications of potential strategic importance”. The consultation. which seeks to enact elements of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, proposes that mayors “take over key planning applications which impact on local growth", including schemes of more than 150 homes and any building more than 30 metres or taller.
Home building generates £60bn of community investment – HBF
Building new homes in England and Wales generated more than £60 billion of community investment between 2024 and 2026, according to the latest research from the Home Builders Federation. HBF is calling on the government to ensure local authorities have the capacity to manage section 106 contributions which help fund, for example, affordable housing, schools and parks. HBF’s new statistics highlight the “often-unseen benefits” that are a by-product of new housing development through section 106 agreements. Across England and Wales, according to the research, new homes built last year funded 42,000 new school places, more than 1,640 football pitches worth of community space and more than £9 billion in affordable housing.
Barratt Redrow launches new placemaking framework
Barratt Redrow has launched a new placemaking framework, providing a measurable approach to designing healthier, greener and better-connected places across its future developments, according to the housebuilder. Great Places updates existing placemaking principles across the three brands of Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Redrow, bringing them under one group-wide standard to deliver new neighbourhoods with high-quality homes which support healthier lives.
Industry reacts to new NPPF
The industry has been reacting to the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), with the Home Builders Federation calling the new rules “another step towards a more positive planning framework” while expressing the need for action to address wider policy and tax constraints. Others welcomed the new NPPF while also raising viability issues. The sector will hear discussion of the new NPPF as part of HBF’s Planning Conference, taking place on September 9 in Birmingham. As well as examining all aspects of the revamped framework, the one-day conference will look at progress on other changes to the planning system designed to help deliver new homes.
SMEs warn on Building Safety Levy – HBF/Quantum Development Finance
Nine in ten SME housebuilders have warned that the upcoming Building Safety Levy will make more sites unviable, according to new research from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Quantum Development Finance. HBF is urging the government to pause the introduction of the levy. The research, based on a survey of SME housebuilders across England, also finds that 36% have already delayed, redesigned or cancelled schemes ahead of the introduction of the levy, applying from October 1.
