“So we now have a lot of data about the housing situation across Devon and potential solutions. We’ve got a new Government with a commitment to reform the planning system and build 300,000 new houses every year and we are well placed to make our case and back it up with hard facts. What we need now is action.” [John Mcinnes, Leader of Devon County Council]
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It seems that we are always in a ‘housing crisis’ – across the country and here in Devon.
Earlier in the year the official Devon Housing Commission was warning that the county’s housing shortage has ‘severe consequences’, especially for people’s health and for the local economy. At the same time, Homes for the South West, an alliance of housing associations, were saying ‘the housing crisis in the South West is fast approaching breaking point.’ And this month, Devon councils announced they were struggling to provide the right sort of local housing.
It has become clear, then, that we need more housing – and that local government is not in the position to provide.
Or perhaps they are.
It was this time last year that the DHC was set up – and there indeed were hopes that this new Devon Housing Commission will deliver. And one year on, it has published its report. In the words of its chair, Richard Best:
The words “housing crisis” are not what the general public (or Westminster politicians) usually associate with the beautiful county of Devon. However, as the evidence accumulated by the Devon Housing Commission shows, there is indeed a real housing crisis in this county. The problem is an acute shortage of homes affordable for the next generation...
In conclusion, the Commission recognises the size of the task ahead. However, we believe that with the engagement of Devon’s local government and local communities (and appropriate input from central government), significant inroads could be made in easing shortages and delivering affordable homes at the scale required.
One of the partners, the University of Exeter highlights the main point that action is needed to tackle Devon’s “housing emergency” – and looks at the recommendations, including:
The report calls for a new Devon-wide Housing Strategy that sets out goals and a roadmap to achieve them over the next decade and beyond. There should be a successor body to the current Devon Housing Task Force comprising representatives of Devon’s local authorities to monitor progress and work with the proposed Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA). This new authority should sponsor a new Development Corporation to act as a Master Developer to acquire land and raise private finance, reducing reliance upon housebuilders.
And today, the new leader of Devon County Council writes in the Herald that the council is indeed launching a Devon Housing Commission in link with the Commission’s recommendations:
Lord Best says there should be special measures for rural and coastal communities and a countywide Development Corporation for major developments. That’s to seize the initiative away from speculative developers who often find it more profitable to build four and five-bedroom “executive” houses when what are desperately needed are two-bedroom homes which our young couples need if they want to start a family.
Homebuyers over pension age should get an exemption from Stamp Duty which would help older people who want to downsize. The Government should also introduce a new planning class for all short-term and holiday lets and local authorities should be able to limit them in areas where growth is proving detrimental to the community. Councils should demonstrate flexibility in enabling village schemes for local people, often driven by Community Land Trusts.
So we now have a lot of data about the housing situation across Devon and potential solutions. We’ve got a new Government with a commitment to reform the planning system and build 300,000 new houses every year and we are well placed to make our case and back it up with hard facts. What we need now is action.
This is all happening as deputy Prime Minister Rayner unveils an overhaul of the planning system in its drive for 1.5 million homes.
Let’s hope, then, that the ‘right sort of housing is built’.
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