Labour Plans for Housebuilding

The Labour party has released a report based on a commission led by Sir Michael Lyons into the housing and planning policies needed to reach the 200,000 homes-a-year target. The Lyons housing review states that under a Labour government:

·         Up to half of new homes will be reserved for sale to local people.

·         Councils will restrict the number of homes sold for buy-to-let.

·         Local authorities will be able to designate housing growth areas.

·         The planning inspectorate will have increased powers to force councils to develop a housing plan.

·         Local authorities will not be able to borrow money to build, but housing will be a priority of the government’s capital spend.

·         Councils that have reached the HRA cap will be able to borrow from other councils that haven’t.

·         Groups of local authorities could form new Homes Corporations with strong planning powers.

·         There will be measures to underwrite loans to help small builders.

Download the full report from the yourbritain website.