Plotting the Future

This summary is a precis of the full litepaper ‘Plotting the Future.’ You can download the complete paper below.

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The UK has been struggling to resolve its housing crisis for some time, often ending up with plans on the shelf. However, in 2024, the Labour Government set an ambitious goal to deliver “1.5 million homes by 2029”, this has been backed up with a substantial policy change and billions of pounds of funding announced in the autumn budget. This paper explores the substantial opportunities within the built environment sector while examining the legislative and economic challenges that could shape its success.

"Only 8.7% of England’s land is developed, highlighting the potential to deliver housing on underutilised land, such as the peripheries of urban centres."

A major challenge is the limited availability of land for development. Unlocking underutilised land offers both opportunities and hurdles. Factors such as planning regulations, inadequate infrastructure, and intense competition for land can significantly complicate efforts to provide housing in areas of greatest need.

The announcement of a £3 billion fund for supporting small and medium-sized builders and the ever-expanding build-to-rent sector has been widely reported. Planning departments-often cited as one of the main blockages in getting houses up-are to share an extra £46m in funding, while the New Homes Accelerator has been set up to get stalled projects shifting.  

"Strategic partnerships across public and private sectors will be critical in identifying and unlocking land for development while meeting sustainability and affordability goals."

Among the more innovative ideas that have been discussed is the concept of a "Grey Belt," which would allow for thoughtfully planned development on the outskirts of urban areas while preserving green spaces. Simultaneously, there are also incentives to redevelop brownfield sites that aim to maximise the use of underutilised land and breathe new life into neglected areas.

Ultimately, the way of reaching these targets depends on finding the right land for new homes. This will be accomplished through close collaboration by the public and private sectors together. It's a huge challenge, but with a shared commitment to solving the housing crisis, there's real potential to make a lasting difference this time.

"It is vital that government and industry work together to streamline planning and ensure land is delivered where it is most needed to meet ambitious targets."

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