The Liberal Democrat Party has printed its manifesto and outlined it housing policy plans. In its For a Fair Deal Manifesto 2024, the get together has pledged to ‘construct the houses individuals desperately want’ by increasing neighbourhood planning throughout England; constructing ten new backyard cities and permitting councils to purchase land for housing primarily based on present use worth reasonably than on a hope-value foundation by reforming the Land Compensation Act 1961.
The get together additionally backs ‘correctly funding native planning departments to enhance planning outcomes and guarantee housing will not be constructed in areas of excessive flood threat with out enough mitigation, by permitting native authorities to set their very own charges.’
There are additionally pledges to encourage the usage of rural exception websites to broaden rural housing and the trialling of neighborhood land auctions to make sure that native communities obtain a fair proportion of the advantages of recent improvement in their areas and to assist fund very important native providers.
The manifesto additionally mentions ‘encouraging improvement of present brownfield websites with monetary incentives and guaranteeing that inexpensive and social housing is included in these initiatives. And introducing ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ planning permission for builders who refuse to construct.
The get together intends to assist individuals who can’t afford a deposit to personal their very own houses by introducing a brand new Rent to Own mannequin for social housing the place lease funds give tenants an growing stake in the property, proudly owning it outright after 30 years.
Increased funding in inexperienced infrastructure and housing can also be highlighted and a clearer zero-carbon remit to the UK Infrastructure Bank.
Proactively imposing clear requirements for houses which can be socially rented, together with strict deadlines for repairs, is roofed. As effectively as absolutely recognising tenant panels in order that renters have a voice in landlord governance.
Commenting on the Lib Dem pledges Propertymarke chief government Nathan Emerson mentioned:
“It is encouraging to see housebuilding targets being taken severely throughout the first manifesto launched, particularly a realisation that extra social houses are required so that folks have entry to a higher provision of housing.”
He added: “Propertymark has at all times believed that floor rents needs to be capped, so it’s good to see that related proposals are being referenced in the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto. It shall be fascinating to see what mechanism they intend to make use of ought to they succeed in ending no-fault evictions.”
