Industry welcomes housing minister Shapps

Aaron Morby 15 years ago
Share

Housing and construction leaders today welcomed Grant Shapps as new housing minister, as they bluntly assessed the challenges ahead.

But there was also surprise that with the country facing a serious housing crisis, his position was not afforded a place in the new Cabinet

Mr Shapps has been Tory Shadow Housing Minister since 2007. His understanding of the key issues facing the sector is seen by many as a major advantage.

House builders were among the first to welcome his selection.

Stewart Baseley, chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said:  “Appointing Shapps is a sensible move that will provide consistency in the home building industry’s discussions with the Government.

“The Conservatives have stated many times that they are committed to building more homes.

“The Government’s task now is to develop a policy framework that will deliver on this promise, working closely with the home building industry,” said Baseley.

“Greg Clarke’s position will also be vital as the Government pushes through its radical changes to the Planning System.

House builders want to see a manageable transition plan to avoid a period of uncertainty and delay and a hiatus in housing delivery.

He said that the industry needed to see steps to tackle the lack of mortgage availability, particularly for first-time buyers, and increase the supply of viable developable land.

Baseley urged: “It must not include any proposals to introduce VAT on new homes, a pre-election idea floated by the Lib Dems.

The country currently has a housing shortage approaching a million homes, with five million people on local authority waiting lists, and house building at the lowest peacetime levels since the early 1920s.

HBF has already written to the new Ministerial team to outline what it feels should the new Governments ‘Day 1’ housing and planning priorities.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, also welcomed Shapps to the job, which under Labour, had the biggest staff turnover of any government position.

“His enthusiasm and ideas will go a long way to helping reshape our housing industry, but there will be numerous challenges ahead,” she warned.

The federation supports the housing minister’s decision to scrap Hips, but warned more must be done to green the housing stock.

“With no hope of zero carbon homes appearing in 2016 as Labour promised, Britain risks lagging behind Sweden and Germany who all have very aggressive strategies for tackling climate change.

“What we know is that any demands on developers have to be workable and asking for mini power stations next to each housing development simply will not work, neither financially nor practically,” she added.

Gordon Brown’s promise to build three million homes crashed with the economy and now the federation wants to see a new housing model adopted where rented accommodation plays a greater role.

Town and Country Planning Association Interim Chief Executive Kate Henderson, said: “The Association has its routes in the Garden City movement and Mr Shapps’ constituency, Welwyn Garden City, is an excellent example of how we can deliver better kinds of development linked to a model of fairness and affordability.

Mr Shapps will work under new Communities Secretary Eric Pickles in the department for Communities and Local Government.

Latest news

Balfour Beatty terminates Danny Sullivan labour deals

Around 500 workers on HS2 will be moved to alternative agencies or be taken on direct
1 day ago

Trio face prosecution after Hinkley site death

Main contractors and client to face charges over death of site supervisor
1 day ago

Buyers see recovery in house building sector

But civil and commercial work still in the doldrums
2 days ago

Apprentice saws-off thumb on hotel refurb site

Court hears how digit was reattached and teenager continued training with another firm
2 days ago

Laing O’Rourke tops June contracts league

£919m animal super lab dominates new orders
2 days ago

TSL turnover smashes £500m as profit almost trebles

Data centre and logistics contractor rises high on surging demand
2 days ago

Gleeson Homes chief exec leaves business after restructure

Management revamp after "challenging" year
2 days ago

Green light for 1,600-home Oldham town centre overhaul

Plans for over 1,600 homes across six regeneration sites approved
2 days ago

DSM wins Norwich city centre clearance job

Anglia Square shopping centre clearance for £300m scheme
2 days ago

13-year-old becomes UK’s youngest qualified digger driver

Grandson of Gallagher Group chairman sets industry record
2 days ago

Cubby reborn in £12m Svella-backed takeover

£50m revenue target set as 14 firms combine under new Cubby Group banner
3 days ago

North East NHS trusts plot £3bn health estate overhaul

Market engagement begins for major construction push across four trusts
3 days ago

HG goes green on cranes in £1.2m switch to battery power

Diesel-free crane drive cuts fuel bills by 94%
3 days ago

Developer fined £165,000 for fire safety failings

Firm ignored fire safety orders on apartment job in Preston
3 days ago

Bidding to start for £1.8bn North West framework

Contractors invited to bid for latest Procure Partnerships deal
3 days ago

Hill hits record £90m profit as homes pipeline swells

Build-to-rent push and £4.8bn contracting book to fuel next growth phase
4 days ago

Rayner unveils £39bn plan to build 300,000 social homes

Council building revival and rent reform feature in social and affordable homes plan
4 days ago

Keltbray bounces back with £3.2m profit

Tighter controls and smarter project selection fuel strong turnaround
4 days ago

VINCI JV wins 500-home twin town centre revamps

Chester Northgate phase 2 and Northwich Weaver Square schemes move to delivery stage
4 days ago

80 energy projects unlocked as Ofgem backs grid expansion

£24bn energy networks deal gets green light from regulator
5 days ago

How to see your stories on the Enquirer

Join our Suppliers and Buyers directory to get your news published
4 days ago

Henley lands Midland Mill revamp on Leeds tower scheme

Restoration of 18th-century mill kicks off on South Bank regeneration project
4 days ago

New boss at Eric Wright Civil Engineering

Gavin Hulme takes top job as Diane Bourne moves to group role
4 days ago

Pinewood submits £1bn data centre plan

Studio giant adds green and learning spaces to tech hub blueprint
5 days ago

Record results after TClarke goes private

Britain's biggest M&E contractor flourishes after de-listing
5 days ago

Dalkia lands £200m nuclear maintenance deal

1,000 nuclear FM staff to join M&E contractor
5 days ago

Construction comeback to outpace wider economy

Arcadis forecast fueled by spending review optimism
6 days ago

First steel goes up on giant car battery site

Severfield gets to work on McAlpine Somerset site
6 days ago

Permasteelisa wins cladding deal on Bovis city tower

Facade specialist lands package at 60 Gracechurch Street
5 days ago

Fox buys recycled asphalt specialist Fisher

Acquisition adds major recycled asphalt capacity in north west
6 days ago