The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has long advocated for increased funding for affordable housing, and recognises the Government’s new £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme as a vital opportunity to empower local authorities to deliver the homes communities need.
However, the success of the Government’s Plan for Change and 10-year housing strategy will ultimately depend on a well-resourced, plan-led system.
Robbie Calvert, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said:
“The Government’s commitment to a decade of housing renewal is a major milestone – but without comprehensive reform of our planning system and investment in the planning workforce, delivery will stall.
Delivering the right homes in the right places: “The right mix of affordable housing must be delivered in the right locations. Planners will play a pivotal role in doing this, creating the mixed-use neighbourhoods of the future with high standards of placemaking, ensuring communities have access to nature, work opportunities and sustainable transport options.
Plan-led system critical to success: “To deliver the 10-year housing strategy, we need to ensure that development is guided through a plan-led system. We strongly encourage the government to expedite plan-making reforms to reduce uncertainty and delay in the system and to support planning teams as they try to improve plan coverage across the country.
Invest in planners: “The planning system is experiencing a critical skills and capacity shortage. A radical and innovative approach is required to expand the planning workforce pipeline, providing the certainty and stability that the affordable housing sector acutely needs.
Long-term workforce strategy: “We stand ready to work with the government to develop a long-term skills and workforce strategy for the planning sector to achieve these ambitions.”
