A report has been drawn up by both firms to highlight the role the housing industry can play in leading the economic recovery.

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Proposals contained in the ‘Building a Recovery’ route map include:

• extending the current help-to-buy scheme by at least 18 months to ensure first-time buyers are able to get onto the home ownership ladder
• boost housing transaction levels by introducing a targeted stamp duty holiday for 18 months
• fast-track the first homes initiative, with a focus on key workers
• urgently review the standard method to appropriately calculate housing need
• supercharge incentives for local authorities to deliver the housing required
• view allocations in local plans as deemed approvals, which should only be required to obtain further consent for design and layout
• consider a reorganisation of local government to greater reflect strategic housing market areas, as part of the government’s devolution agenda.

Paul Brocklehurst, chairman at LPDF (pictured above), said: “The housebuilding industry is critical to the recovery, both economically and socially. 

“Now, more than ever, the government needs to ensure that the planning system can deliver on its target of 300,000 new homes being built each year by the mid 2020’s.
 
“We welcome the fact that the government has introduced measures to reopen the housing market following the lockdown and has demonstrated its willingness to support the economy by an unprecedented financial stimulus. 

“We ask that the government introduces further measures to stimulate the housing market.”

Michael Knott, director at Barton Willmore, added: “The planning system needs to play a central role in supporting the recovery, and the government has promised to publish ambitious reforms in the coming weeks. 

“We believe that the recovery can be readily supported through measures to improve how the current system operates, as opposed to radical reforms at this time.”