Body sets out five recommendations in new manifesto 

The incoming mayor of Greater Manchester must “use their new and existing powers, particularly strategic planning powers” to hit the region’s housing target of 14,400 homes a year, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) has said.

Manchester, Greater Manchester

Source: Shutterstock

Manchester, Greater Manchester

In its ‘Greater Manchester Mayor Manifesto’, the membership body said the region “can demonstrate how devolved powers can help tackle the housing crisis and provide a model for other combined authorities to follow.

To support this ambition, the manifesto set out five recommendations for the next mayor. These include to begin preparing the new spatial development strategy immediately and allocate small sites for SME housebuilders.

The HBF said these measures would help tackle the housing crisis by increasing supply, affordability and home ownership.

The devolution agenda is one of the central commitments of new prime minister Andy Burnham’s government.

Last week, the responsibility for devolution was transferred from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to a new department led by Louise Haigh as part of the machinery of government shake-up.

Last month, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) published a 10-year plan to build 75,000 new homes during this parliament.

HBF’s five recommendations for the incoming Greater Manchester mayor:

  • Begin preparing the new spatial sevelopment strategy immediately.
  • Allocate small sites for SME home builders.
  • Unlock brownfield development near public transport.
  • Develop the local construction workforce.
  • Support first-time buyers.

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