"The HBF challenges the main premise of the report that "a greatly expanded house building programme" is a "severe long term threat to the countryside."
The Home Builders Federation responds to the CPRE report, Your countryside, your choice, released today. Robert Ashmead, Chief Executive of the Home Builders federation (HBF) says:
"The CPRE claims that 'the present direction of many official policies is grim' citing 'rampant new housing schemes' as an example of the threat to the countryside."
"The HBF challenges the main premise of the report that "a greatly expanded house building programme" is a "severe long term threat to the countryside."
Under Kate Barker's extreme assumption that all new house building would take place in the South East, Barker's more ambitious scenario of 120,000 additional private homes each year would use about 0.75 per cent of the total regional land area over the next ten years.
"But solving our current housing crisis is also about providing the full range of homes people need where they want to live and work."
"CPRE's proposal that we should aim "for at least 75% of new housing on previously developed land at an average density of at least 40 units per hectare" would ride roughshod over peoples' legitimate housing aspirations making it more difficult for many to have the family homes they want in the areas they need them. Surely we need a debate that properly reflects these social and economic needs. If new communities can't function properly they will not be able to enjoy the countryside."