The Prime Minister recently admitted in a broadcast interview that his decision to scrap housing targets was taken after Conservative councillors and party members opposed the potential introduction of new development to their neighbourhoods.
Following a vocal backbench revolt among Conservative MPs representing ‘NIMBY’ constituents, which resulted in the changed legislation, it is now proposed that local planning authorities (LPAs) will be permitted to build fewer homes than the standard methodology would suggest are necessary, provided they can show that the characteristics of an authority would justify an alternative approach. Specifically, where meeting the target in full would mean building at densities significantly out of character with the existing area, reductions would be permissible. Since any new development inevitably changes the character of the area in which it is situated, this substantial amendment to the NPPF looks set to substantially reduce new housebuilding up and down the country.
Essentially the PM has prioritised the anti-development sentiment of the middle-class, middle-aged, home-owning demographic over the plight of thousands of younger people who, because of the growing housing shortage (and coupled with the cost of living crisis and excessive student debt) find it increasingly difficult to get a foot on the property ladder.
The average age of a first-time buyer in the UK has been steadily creeping up over the years and as of 2021-22, the average first-time buyer outside London is over 33, compared to 29 in the 1990s. Better Homes 4 All states that in London and the south east, home ownership by 25-34 year olds has halved, from 64% in 1998, to 32% today.
Rishi Sunak’s decision was a political move intended to regain the support of the traditional Tory voter, but in doing so he will inevitably have alienated the many thousands of younger voters who might otherwise have supported him. Recent YouGov polling shows that only 13% of voters between the ages of 25 and 49 would consider voting Conservative; for 18 to 24 year olds the figure is just 6%.
