Comments on: Housing http://www.citiesmanifesto.org Manifesto for prosperous cities Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:09:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Martina Juvara http://www.citiesmanifesto.org/housing/#comment-31 Martina Juvara Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:53:59 +0000 http://www.citiesmanifesto.org/?page_id=3#comment-31 The ability for local authorities to capture some of the value from allocating land is a very good idea. There are indications that developers’ business model is shifting from majority of income from sale of development (and land factored in as a cost to a landowner) to a model of longer term land banking, with substantial revenues associated with land allocation/ planning permission. This will make it difficult to capture values, as the site may not be sold once allocation is achieved but before. However, a system by which developers are encouraged to have a long term engagement and financial stake in the infrastructure and socio-economic development of a place may also work. Definitely there is a need to incentivise cities and towns to build more houses. The ability for local authorities to capture some of the value from allocating land is a very good idea. There are indications that developers’ business model is shifting from majority of income from sale of development (and land factored in as a cost to a landowner) to a model of longer term land banking, with substantial revenues associated with land allocation/ planning permission. This will make it difficult to capture values, as the site may not be sold once allocation is achieved but before. However, a system by which developers are encouraged to have a long term engagement and financial stake in the infrastructure and socio-economic development of a place may also work.

Definitely there is a need to incentivise cities and towns to build more houses.

]]> By: Nick Webb http://www.citiesmanifesto.org/housing/#comment-7 Nick Webb Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:29:48 +0000 http://www.citiesmanifesto.org/?page_id=3#comment-7 The principles identified in the Cities Manifesto are very welcome. However, the incentive to build needs to be attractive enough so that councils can take the lead in promoting carefully considered housing development. Incentives must also focus on making it more cost effective to build on brownfield sites. The current system is problematic. As regional tiers of government are not directly accountable, it is far too easy for councillors to take an unrealistic position opposing development and blaming regional or central government. For such a councillor the dynamic of the situation means they have little say on the plans and the council doesn't gain enough from the development. As a result it is unsurprising that many councillors simply seek to work with campaign groups against housing developments. This scenario leads to regular conflict over planning matters. If councillors were empowered to make decisions then they would have to be pragmatic in their approach to planning. However, during the transition period from one system to another, it would be vital that councils avoid a situation where nimbyism runs rampant. Our cities need new housing and infrastructure. Councils who fail to react will find a shortage of skills in their cities and an inflation in house prices. A strong incentive must be in place so that it is: a) in the council's interest to approve good development b) residents can see they gain benefits from new development c) the essentials such as transport improvements, waste management and energy supplies are delivered on time and on budget The incentive principle and the empowerment of local Government is good, but it must be proven that it will deliver the houses in the locations they are needed. The principles identified in the Cities Manifesto are very welcome. However, the incentive to build needs to be attractive enough so that councils can take the lead in promoting carefully considered housing development. Incentives must also focus on making it more cost effective to build on brownfield sites.

The current system is problematic. As regional tiers of government are not directly accountable, it is far too easy for councillors to take an unrealistic position opposing development and blaming regional or central government. For such a councillor the dynamic of the situation means they have little say on the plans and the council doesn’t gain enough from the development. As a result it is unsurprising that many councillors simply seek to work with campaign groups against housing developments. This scenario leads to regular conflict over planning matters.

If councillors were empowered to make decisions then they would have to be pragmatic in their approach to planning. However, during the transition period from one system to another, it would be vital that councils avoid a situation where nimbyism runs rampant. Our cities need new housing and infrastructure. Councils who fail to react will find a shortage of skills in their cities and an inflation in house prices.

A strong incentive must be in place so that it is:
a) in the council’s interest to approve good development
b) residents can see they gain benefits from new development
c) the essentials such as transport improvements, waste management and energy supplies are delivered on time and on budget

The incentive principle and the empowerment of local Government is good, but it must be proven that it will deliver the houses in the locations they are needed.

]]> By: Centre for Cities http://www.citiesmanifesto.org/housing/#comment-6 Centre for Cities Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:38:48 +0000 http://www.citiesmanifesto.org/?page_id=3#comment-6 Join us at party conferences to debate our policy recommendations. We'll be part of the Urban Hub at Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem conferences, running fringe panel events on transport and city jobs - further details at www.urban-hub.org Join us at party conferences to debate our policy recommendations. We’ll be part of the Urban Hub at Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem conferences, running fringe panel events on transport and city jobs – further details at http://www.urban-hub.org

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