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Building for the future
27/05/2008
Unblocking major housing developments in the Lothians and the West of Scotland is a key challenge for increasing the supply of housing in Scotland, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said today.
Mr Maxwell was speaking as the Housing Supply Task Force outlined its forward programme in a mid-term progress statement published today.
The statement highlighted potential solutions to blockages in the housing supply system that the Task Force will be examining.
The key challenges include:
- improving access to land supply
- reducing delays in the planning system to build on the major reforms already under way
- tackling local opposition to proposed developments by encouraging local authorities and developers to engage with communities more actively
The Edinburgh Waterfront, the South East Wedge, Wallyford and Winchburgh will be the first four housing developments that the Task Force will examine in more detail in an attempt to broker real solutions and move building work forward.
Unlocking these developments alone will free up land on which to build tens of thousands of new homes.
The Task Force will also continue to investigate mechanisms to ease housing supply pressures in rural areas throughout Scotland.
Mr Maxwell said:
"I have been impressed by the determination and commitment shown by the members, but the need for more housing in Scotland remains acute. I expect the next phase of Task Force activity to see results appearing on the ground.
"This report brings to a close the first stage of the Task Force's work and provides a solid base from which to move into the next phase of its activities.
"There is undoubtedly a shortage of housing of all types across many areas in Scotland. I am particularly concerned about stalled developments in Edinburgh and across the west of Scotland.
"I expect to see those with the responsibility for delivering new homes in these areas to pull out all the stops to provide much-needed new housing for individuals and families.
"The Task Force will have a crucial role in ensuring that more is done to speed up the construction of homes throughout Scotland."
On June 21, 2007 Mr Maxwell announced to Parliament his intention to establish a Housing Supply Task Force to tackle the obstacles, such as land supply and planning issues that have been hampering the delivery of more housing.
The Housing Supply Task Force membership is as follows:
- Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport
- Councillor Harry McGuigan (CoSLA Housing Portfolio)
- Councillor Alison Hay (CoSLA Planning Portfolio)
- Ronnie Jacobs (Chair, Homes for Scotland)
- Jonathan Fair (Homes for Scotland)
- Kennedy Foster (Council of Mortgage Lenders)
- Archie Stoddart (Shelter)
- Brian Gegan (Scottish Federation of Housing Associations)