The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in Wales has published its Manifesto ahead of the Welsh Assembly Government and National Assembly elections later this year. As all parties are putting together their policies in the coming months, RICS is offering timely, impartial advice and guidance on the built environment to policymakers across the board. <br> <br> The Manifesto launch took place at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay and was hosted by RICS president, Robert Peto and RICS Wales chairman Mike Lawley. It was attended by the RICS Wales board as well as RICS members and AMs. <br> <br> In the manifesto, Wales is recommending the relaxation of affordable housing targets to stimulate a greater supply of all housing as well as calling on additional assistance for first time buyers and more innovative solutions to assist house purchase such as shared ownership and flexible mortgages. <br> <br> RICS Wales also recommends further reforms to the planning system to better encourage economic development in Wales. These include implementing the main plans laid out in the WAG/WGA Grimley report published in June 2010, and embedding economic renewal into the planning process in the same way the social and environmental factors currently …