Open letter to Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner

Dear Keir and Angela,

Your enthusiasm and commitment to the development sector is a welcome change from the previous Government. You have achieved much in a short period of time with the new NPPF and the reinstatement of Housing Land Supply Targets. Your proposed changes to the scheme of delegation are also a step in the right direction and the changes to planning committees (and in particular, the requirement for compulsory training) will be tremendously helpful (but it would be good if you can now get on with it). 

It was also a welcome change to reduce the number of consultees who you quite rightly described as blockers. Then there is Grey Belt! Possibly the most remarkable policy any Government has introduced since the invention of Green Belt. And only this week, you announced that you are revisiting the costs of Biodiversity Net Gain to help SME house builders. Then there is the long awaited new towns commission that will be announcing the first trance in June (again, a little late but we’ll forgive you).

You have been proactive in renewable energy sources with a huge emphasis on allowing more of these to be built and making it easier. You have grasped the nettle on this and we might just end our addiction to fossil fuels, even if most Councillors don’t understand what this is about. 

However, there are three MAJOR issues that I need to draw your attention to. And me being me (and a thoroughly nice bloke) will also suggest solutions. 

Shortage of Planners

There aren’t enough and no matter how often you say you’ll conjure up 300 new ones out of thin air, the reality is that there needs to be a programme that actually encourage students to study town planning and then you need to work with Councils to make being an LPA planner a career again. Most young planners cut their teeth at an LPAs, get shouted at by NIMBYs for a few years and then go to the private sector. They need better pay and protection from NIMBYs. Make being abusive NIMBYs a criminal offence. 

Penalties for “Land Banking” 

This is a nonsense. No developer in their right mind “banks” land. Why would you sit on a dead asset, it’s bonkers! The delays come in because there are no planners to discharge conditions so we can get on and build the houses. By inflicting some random fines and timelines won’t actually speed things up. If there is no-one to ensure that the permissions are fully legally discharged so construction can start, these fines will fix nothing and just cause more delay. 

Help to buy

For the first time in about 60 years there is no Government scheme to help first time buyers. Relying on the bank of mum and dad won’t cut it. You both remind us about your humble beginnings and not having rich parents that can help. So HELP! We need the first-time buyers to unlock the second, third, fourth time buyers. It is a chain and it is stuck. 

So please, listen to my points and make those little changes! 

Henry