Planning law reform ‘could reduce housing crisis’

Posted 16/03/2012

Planning law reform has been recommended by the Institute of Directors (IoD) as a way the coalition government could look to reduce the current housing crisis.According to director-general of the IoD Simon Walker, changes to rules and regulations would have the impact of kick-starting the construction industry in the UK.He also urged the government to make sure it does not water down the planning law reform proposals outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).”Subsidising 95 per cent mortgages through the NewBuy Guarantee won’t do any harm, but the best way to help house-builders and aspirant homeowners is to allow more houses to be built,” said Mr Walker.It was added by the IoD that it is in strong support of the NPPF, which could be brought to fruition later in the year.Steve Turner, head of communications at the Home Builders Federation, recently called for planning law reform to help to foster growth in the construction industry.