"We welcome the reports recognition that all those involved, including developers, have contributed to successful examples of inner city and urban regeneration in recent years"
Commenting on the Urban Task Force’s report, Towards a strong urban renaissance, John Slaughter, Director of External Affairs at the Home Builders Federation, states:
"We welcome the reports recognition that all those involved, including developers, have contributed to successful examples of inner city and urban regeneration in recent years.
Brownfield and density targets
"House builders have played an important role in delivering Government targets. As the report states, 70% of new build is now on brownfield land while average density of new homes development has increased nationally to 40dph (dwellings per hectare), up from 25dph in 1997.
"However, Britain’s urban renaissance can only be sustained by providing the type of housing that people actually want. The report recognises the challenge of retaining middle class families in our cities; in part because they are not able to access the type of housing that they want. Sustainable communities are best served by responding effectively to market need"
Growing housing demand
"The report is right to note "the challenge of growing housing demand". There has been a 30 year trend of falling supply at time of significantly increasing demand. Failure to address this issue in fact constitutes the biggest threat to achieving a lasting urban renaissance. The problem of undersupply both perpetuates social inequalities and restricts economic growth.
"The performance standards of new buildings are improving and the industry is working to build further on these improvements. The success of Britain’s urban renaissance requires the construction of high quality homes that people want."