27th October 2009 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Conservative Party housing proposals to increase the number of new homes whilst simultaneously giving local people more say as to where and if these homes are to be built are an act of faith, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Responding to today’s housing announcement from Grant Shapps MP, Conservative Shadow Housing Minister, Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
“It is very encouraging that the Conservative Party acknowledges the need to build more homes and has come out as ‘pro-development’ but whether its proposed financial incentives to match pound for pound the Council Tax revenue on all new homes for a six year period will be sufficient to persuade local authorities of the need to build new homes in their area remains to be seen.”
Berry concluded:
“There is the danger that the Conservative proposals in attempting to please everyone will end up pleasing no one. The simple fact is that this country needs more homes to tackle the current housing crisis and these homes need to be built somewhere. Giving more power to local communities to decide on housing policy may sound good but in practice may mean that in certain parts of the country fewer and not more homes will be built.”
