Legal News

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis and Communities Secretary Greg Clark have said that England is building more new homes, with a 25% increase in the last year – the highest increase for 28 years, with more than 700,000 new homes being built since 2010.

The government says there has been a significant increase in the amount of new homes delivered by converting buildings into residential properties.

More than 20,600 of these homes were built in 2014 to 2015 – a rise of 65% on the previous year.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said the figures were further proof of the government’s commitment to get more homes built – with 170,690 new homes built last year.

The figures also come weeks after the government announced it would extend permitted development rights to enable offices to be converted into new homes, without having to submit a planning application.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said:

“As a one nation government, we’re determined to make sure everyone has the opportunity and security of owning a home of their own.

“Today’s figures show a 25% increase in the number of new homes over the past year – showing our reforms are building new homes across Britain.

“We are going further and will do everything we can to help families buy a place of their own. Government support like Help to Buy and our plans to build 200,000 new Starter Homes will help anyone who aspires to own their own home the chance of making their dream a reality.”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis added:

“We’ve brought the house building industry back from the brink, giving them the tools they need to get on with the job and build the homes hard-working people need.

“That includes making it easier for developers to turn underused buildings into new homes – with today’s figures showing a 65% increase in these kinds of developments over the past year.

“Today’s figures represent the highest annual percentage increase in net additional homes for 28 years. The vast majority of the homes delivered in the past 12 months have been new builds.”

The government says its planning reforms and launch of the National Planning Policy Framework in April 2012 are delivering record numbers of permissions – since 2010, the government has delivered a net increase of 704,310 additional homes across England.

Figures released on Thursday (12/11/15) also show that the number of Right to Buy sales are up by 5% on last year.

The government recently announced an historic agreement to extend the scheme to 1.3 million Housing Association tenants, giving them the same home ownership opportunities as council tenants – with every property sold replaced with an additional new affordable home.

Duncan Lewis Housing Lawyers

Duncan Lewis is one of the UK’s leading firms of housing lawyers, with offices nationwide.

Duncan Lewis can advise social housing tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including Right to Buy and conveyancing.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid lawyers and can advise social housing tenants on:

• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing possession
• Local Authority housing
• Nuisance neighbours
• Section 193 (council’s obligation to re-house)
• Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on all housing matters, contact Duncan Lewis housing lawyers on 0333 772 0409.