How Can We Accelerate The Delivery of High-Quality Homes?

The delivery of high-quality new homes to serve our growing population, and the needs of vulnerable people, is of paramount importance. However, amid the uncertainty of a global pandemic, a new government white paper and ongoing legislation amendments, how we can sufficiently accelerate the delivery of high-quality homes can feel like a heavy, unanswerable question. What steps should we be taking and is the government’s recent white paper really the answer to our housing crisis?

My name is Dean Ward and as the founder of the DCW Group, a professional residential and commercial development consultancy, and DCW Insights, an innovative programme of ‘due diligence’ and wider information services, I am well versed in the complexities of property development. Meanwhile, with over 17 years of experience in the property sector, I have an understanding of what could and should be done.

According to the government’s recent white paper, Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy are to be replaced by a new Infrastructure Levy which outlines a zonal planning system. When it comes to delivering more high-quality homes, this is a step in the right direction; by eliminating both Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy, which are known to incite high payments, the government is facilitating the completion of more invaluable housing projects. Developers and local authorities are no longer faced with unnecessarily high costs when they attempt to develop sought-after housing; instead, the process is backed-up by a more efficient and affordable alternative.

My support of this new Infrastructure Levy may take some by surprise; for years Section 106 has allowed developers to deliver affordable homes in exchange for permission to build, something which has undoubtedly enhanced our country’s affordable housing supply. More specifically, Section 106 has accounted for 49% of all affordable homes completed in England from 2018-19. Surely any legislation which rids us of Section 106 would subsequently pose a risk to affordable housing? I would suggest not. It is my belief that the new levy will create more transparency and certainty in creating affordable homes, fostering the development of social housing. This change will also encourage local authorities to work alongside smaller contractors, encouraging more fruitful business. By carefully monitoring this new levy, ensuring that it is being followed, we can help to accelerate the delivery of high-quality homes.

It is worth noting that whilst the Coronavirus pandemic has left us desperately working to improve the delivery of high-quality homes, it will simultaneously put mounting pressure on the industry – this is something we need to be aware of and address appropriately. For example, it will be easy for businesses, including contractors and specialists, to fall victim to a ‘bid mentality’ as we attempt to secure as many opportunities as possible, delivering as many homes as possible. Whilst this is completely understandable, the quality of homes we deliver must be of an appropriate standard; we cannot rush our social housing efforts in an attempt to counteract the struggles ensued by lockdown. Instead, local authorities must find a balance between projects which focus on developing new affordable homes, overseeing these sufficiently, and their efforts to revitalise unused land and developments which are already a part of their holdings. We can then ensure that all available land, and every house created, is fulfilling a need whilst reaching necessary standards. Only by honing this balance and utilising every beneficial option at our fingertips can we truly deliver the affordable housing that’s required.

In order to re-assess their land and holdings appropriately, local authorities seek the advice of consultants like the DCW Group. We are able to provide a fresh, informed perspective; our experts assess an authority’s holdings, their surrounding areas (including the needs of these communities) and how holdings can subsequently be best used, providing actionable guidance as a result. Meanwhile, our due diligence platform, DCW Insights, connects experts, specialists and consultants from across the sector, meaning affordable housing can be delivered to the benefit of the community’s financial wellbeing. Re-use is essential for progress and its poignance cannot be ignored.

In order to keep up with demands for more affordable housing, we must keep up with the changing realities of our world; namely, a global shift towards technology and digital offerings. In doing so, we will be able to make planning documents more readily accessible, meaning projects can reach fruition without unnecessary, lengthy delays. This is precisely why I’ve launched DCW Insights; for far too long invaluable developments haven’t been completed in a timely manner due to taxing wait-times for essential due diligence documents. Now, we house all of this vital information and data under one digital roof, meaning local authorities and developers are able to make key decisions and get developments off the ground much more quickly, better fulfilling our nation’s needs. The processes we follow to create social housing must be brought into the 21^st century.

To conclude, to deliver affordable housing we must carefully monitor and implement the new regulations that have been put in place, re-evaluate current holdings (embracing the benefits of re-use), utilise the advantages of technology and come together as one unified sector, pairing opportunities with local service providers where possible. Above all else, local authorities must be open to accepting advice, only by doing this can we truly progress.