Almost 100,000 new homes have been unblocked and fast-tracked for delivery across England in the first year of the government’s New Homes Accelerator, ministers have announced.
The specialist programme, launched last year, is designed to cut through planning and regulatory obstacles slowing down large housing projects.
It has already helped speed up 36,000 homes that were stalled on site and pushed forward planning proposals for another 63,000 through direct engagement with local authorities, developers and other public bodies.
Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, says the initiative was “breaking down the barriers which stop us from building the houses to buy and rent that families and young people need”.
TURNING THE TIDE
She adds: “We are continuing to take decisive action through our New Homes Accelerator to speed up delivery, meet our stretching 1.5 million homes target and turn the tide on the housing crisis.”
Six additional sites are now being prioritised under the scheme, expected to deliver more than 12,000 homes, with at least a quarter classed as affordable.
They include Comeytrowe in Somerset, Wisley Airfield in Guildford, North Leigh Park in Wigan, Hampden Fields in Aylesbury, and two London projects at Billet Road and High Road West.
At Wisley Airfield, Taylor Wimpey has already started work on infrastructure for three new neighbourhoods totalling 1,730 homes, of which 40% will be affordable.
The site will also provide shops, sports facilities, a school and a large public park.
PLAN FOR CHANGE
The programme forms part of the government’s “Plan for Change”, which commits to building 1.5 million homes over this Parliament.
It follows wider reforms to the planning system, including revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework and a £39 billion investment in the Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, says: “I’m pleased the government is working with London boroughs to unblock housebuilding as part of its plan to deliver the good growth our country needs.
“I look forward to working with ministers on the action and investment needed to accelerate delivery.”
Officials say the accelerator will continue to target stalled sites and provide councils with additional planning capacity, helping to unlock further developments and boost economic growth.
