Government Announces Housebuilding Reforms

David Cameron has announced plans to reduce as many as 100 house-building standards to fewer than 10 as the Government seeks to build 100,000 new homes. It is part of a wider move to ditch 80,000 documents containing “needless” regulation as the Government looks to cut red tape. The plans, which will make it easier for homes with smaller windows and rooms to be built, are projected to save around £60 million a year for homebuilders, equivalent to around £500 for every new home built. Housebuilders looking to kick-start new developments are advised to speak to a residential development lawyer.

The Prime Minister will use a speech to the Federation of Small Businesses today to say: “Supporting business is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan, creating jobs and security for all. “That is why I have insisted on slashing needless regulation. We will also help house-builders by cutting down 100 overlapping and confusing standards applied to new homes to less than ten.” While minimum standards dealing with safety, energy-efficiency and the minimum legal size of rooms will remain in force, a list of regulations drawn up by individual councils will be abolished. These include stipulations on windows that have a ‘dirt factor’ imposed – bigger sizes to allow for dirt to accumulate rather than assuming people will have the common sense to clean them to let more light in. Mr Cameron will also claim that the Coalition will be the first Government in modern history to leave office with fewer domestic regulations than when it entered.

IBB has one of the largest real estate groups in West London and the South East, with specialist expertise in residential development. Contact a member of the team by visiting the relevant service page, or you can call us on 08456 381 381 or email housebuilders@ibblaw.co.uk.