Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Raynor has today (Thursday 29 August) launched a New Homes Accelerator to ‘unblock thousands of new homes’.

The accelerator was initially announced as part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s, Rachel Reeves, first formal address in July. It will bring together experts from Homes England and central government to ‘identify blockages, fix problems and support local authorities and developers’ to unblock larger home building sites.

Alongside today’s announcement, MHCLG has also issued a call for evidence inviting developers, local authorities and landowners to identify large-scale housing developments that are delayed or stuck.

On news of the launch, David O’Leary, Executive Director at the Home Builders Federation said: “The planning process has long been a significant constraint on house building. Government has shown a welcome desire in the weeks since the election to address the problems in the planning system so it’s welcome that ministers are now turning attention to the thorny practical issues that hold up development.

O’Leary added: “A lack of planning department capacity and misaligned incentives for other public bodies and statutory consultees has created a process with huge uncertainty. This creates an abundance of risk resulting in longer development timescales and severe challenges in particular for small and medium-sized house builders.

O’Leary concludes: “Adopting a pragmatic approach to planning will increase the pace at which new homes are built and help to turn around ailing housing supply. Unlocking homes and delivering new communities will boost growth and support job creation while providing young people with access to new, more affordable housing.

“The housing market is complex and we look forward to working with government to ensure that all aspects of the housing market are functioning more effectively.”

For further information on the call for evidence or to submit a site, please visit the MHCLG webpage. HBF members can sign in to read our full briefing on the New Homes Accelerator and call for evidence.