Industry reaction to Gove’s housing plan – Victoria Du Croz speaks to the Press
Partner and Head of Planning, Victoria Du Croz, has been quoted in numerous broadsheet and industry publications this week on the government’s response to the recent local elections.
Du Croz says that: “The Government and DLUHC appear to be having a knee jerk reaction to the results of last week’s local elections and the impending General Election in 2024, essentially seeking to demonstrate that action has been taken to deliver on housing and development in the current parliamentary term.
“A focus on inner cities makes sense, given the Conservative’s aversion to delivering development on the green belt, but the reality of bringing more homes to the cities will mean building high in order to reach the necessary density.
“Neither brownfield sites nor conversions of office to residential buildings have delivered the number of new homes that are needed across the country to date. Re-focusing on these planning mechanisms, by expanding permitted development rights to shop and commercial conversions, is unlikely to boost housing numbers to the levels that are needed.
"[Monday 24th July’s] announcement failed to recognise the vital importance of a cohesive vision for our towns and cities, that housing is just one element of growing the economy and supporting people. Housing is needed alongside job creation, space for warehousing and a retail and leisure strategy.”
A list of the publications featuring Du Croz’s comments is featured below: