Election 2024 – legal reaction from Winckworth Sherwood

“Labour’s decision not to include housing as one of its six key priorities in its election manifesto disappointed many in the sector – particularly given it’s such a vital factor in the health and success of the nation and the growth of the economy generally. 

“It’s however being trailed that the new government will be unveiling housing policy, such as written ministerial statements and a revised NPPF, within days.  While this will need to take time to be consulted on, clarity over the direction of travel cannot come soon enough.

“While the campaign has talked about headline policies to reinstate housing targets and allow for ‘greybelt’ release, the reality is that the web of challenges confronting the sector is complicated.  To really get Britain building, the incoming government needs to quickly get to grips with the full extent of viability pressures currently experienced by those at the coal face of housing delivery.

“Hopefully with Labour confirmed in government, the industry can breathe a sigh of relief that proposals to replace the S106 /CIL regime with yet another new infrastructure levy will – at least – be dismissed.” 

Greg Carter, construction partner at Winckworth Sherwood, commented:

“In the fervour of an election campaign, building safety has not been in the limelight.  However, as Labour reflects on a historic election win, the party must quickly realise that challenges around building safety legislation have not gone away.  In fact, they are crippling parts of the housebuilding sector.  There are over 30 pieces of secondary legislation that developers are grappling with, causing significant operational and financial challenges that risk upsetting the delivery of homes. 

“As developers continue to invest significant time and money in these changes the new government must deliver the clarity and certainty it needs.”