Starter homes – the policy will make its mark

A key point about starter homes is that the sections will only be brought into force by regulation, so there is no “starter” (sic) date.

After much debate, the Government got their way – when the sections are brought into force, planning authorities will have a duty to promote starter homes. Furthermore, once the sections are brought into force, the Secretary of State has the power to bring in regulations forcing planning authorities to include provision for starter homes in planning permissions.

For registered providers, this is all a step into the unknown; it is certainly the case that local authorities will not be able to ignore starter homes. But, since this policy was announced, it has become clear developers’ views of starter homes are very mixed indeed.

All this brings together an unstable cocktail. The question for registered providers is whether to view all this from the sideline or become developers in their own right.

For more information

Please contact Jonathan Cox

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