Housing and Planning symposium a ‘success’

On 6 March RICS sponsored an ePolitix event which brought together a host of influential politicians and stakeholders to discuss a variety of issues on housing and planning.

Gillian Charlesworth, Director of Regulation Policy, opened the proceedings by setting out the public interest role of RICS and its expertise on all manner of property related matters.

Dr Phyllis Starkey MP, Chair of the influential CLG Select Committee, Chaired the event. First off she pointed out that housing was the biggest issues for MPs and hence the importance of the symposium.

Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP, former Local Government and Housing Minister, gave his thoughts on current housing supply and demand.

He outlined the need for improved energy efficiency and the means to achieve it.

He placed confidence in the soon to be established HCA (as set out in the Housing & Regeneration Bill) in its role on social housing.

With regards to planning, Raynsford stated that it was a vital means of facilitating good quality development rather than a blocking mechanism.

Jacqui Lait MP, Conservative Planning Spokesperson, followed with her comments.

She echoed the other panellist's call for the need for all types of housing, not necessarily owner occupied.

She went on to say that housing and planning targets needed to abolished and the need for local communities to take control which could prevent NIMBYism.

Planning departments needed to be freed up.

Lembit Opik MP, Lib Dem Housing Spokesman, spoke about the energy inefficient housing stock and the need to tackle refurbishment.

He identified three pillars to housing: