Ahead of the local elections on Thursday, May 1, in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Hull and East Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire, and the West of England, the Home Builders Federation is calling on the incoming mayors to take bold and immediate action to confront the ongoing housing crisis.

The elections present a pivotal moment for new mayors to harness the powers granted by the English Devolution Bill and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill as part of the Government’s devolution agenda. These powers have the potential to unlock much-needed housing supply, drive economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for local residents.

The home building industry is at the forefront of tackling the housing crisis, providing much-needed new homes and half of all new affordable housing. However, the industry is facing significant barriers, including delays in the planning process, a lack of bids for Section 106 Affordable Housing units from Registered Providers, and insufficient support for first-time buyers.

In response to these challenges, the Home Builders Federation has released a Mayor Manifesto for incoming Combined Authority Mayors that outlines a series of strategic recommendations. The manifesto emphasises the importance of taking immediate action to address housing needs and outlines how mayors can leverage their new powers to drive housing delivery and regional development.

The first priority, outlined in the Manifesto, is the immediate preparation of a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), ahead of government requirements. This would avoid unnecessary adoption delays when the legislation passes. Local authorities should also continue to work on their local plans in parallel, ensuring housing needs are met at every level.

In addition to strategic planning, the HBF manifesto encourages mayors to use their full range of powers to accelerate housing delivery. This includes intervening when local councils underperform, using Mayoral Development Corporations or Orders to unlock land, and setting up a House Builder Panel to improve communication with home builders and tackle challenges directly.

A greater focus on a diverse housing mix is also essential. The manifesto calls for mayors to set ambitious targets for small-site developments, particularly in locations well-served by public transport. Small sites, often overlooked in larger planning schemes, deliver valuable homes, support smaller home builders and boost local economies.

The manifesto also calls for greater flexibility in the provision of Affordable Housing. Due to rising costs and regulatory challenges, many housing associations are unable to commit to acquiring Affordable Housing units from developer-led schemes. To address this, HBF recommends that mayors work with local authorities to allow more flexible tenure mixes and support cascade mechanisms within Section 106 agreements.

HBF encourages mayors to also prioritise environmental and infrastructure goals. The manifesto suggests that mayors develop Local Nature Recovery Strategies to support biodiversity and meet environmental targets, helping facilitate off-site biodiversity net gain. In addition, investment in public transport infrastructure is essential to opening up new areas for housing development and improving accessibility for local communities.

The manifesto stresses the importance of addressing the skills gap in the construction industry. Mayors should use powers over local education and training to ensure that colleges and training providers are aligned with the needs of the local housing market. By supporting targeted skills development in construction, mayors can help to create a sustainable workforce that can meet the growing demand for new homes.

For the region of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the manifesto specifically addresses the issue of water scarcity, which has been a major barrier to housing development. The Environment Agency has raised concerns about the ability of water companies to serve new developments, leading to delays in the construction of thousands of homes. HBF recommends that the new mayor convene an action group with stakeholders such as house builders, local authorities, water companies, and the Environment Agency to find long-term solutions to this issue.

Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at the Home Builders Federation, says “The upcoming local elections are a crucial turning point for tackling the housing crisis.

“The powers granted through the English Devolution Bill and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill are game changers if used decisively and without delay.

“This is the moment for incoming mayors to take bold, immediate action and unlock the housing potential of their regions by addressing the barriers to housing, whether it’s planning delays or affordable housing shortages, or the need for greater flexibility in tenure mixes.

“By taking swift, decisive action now, mayors can deliver the stability, growth, and homes our communities desperately need, all while putting the power to shape the future firmly in their hands.”

-ENDS-

For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview, contact HBF’s communications team at media@hbf.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal representative body for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. HBF member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from widely recognised national firms, through regionally-based businesses and small local companies: hbf.co.uk