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Property industry leaders have called on the government to tackle the viability crisis, urging alignment between housing policy and growth ambitions after Chancellor John Healey’s speech. Healey pledged to reduce business regulation by 25% by the end of the parliament and extend judicial review reforms from energy projects to all major infrastructure to prevent delays from vexatious litigation. The government will also introduce a roadmap for fiscal devolution, including greater business rates retention for councils and local income tax sharing for Mayoral Strategic Authorities from 2028.
Vanessa Hale, CEO of Real Estate:UK, welcomed the pro-growth agenda but emphasized the need for further detail before the Budget. She argued that addressing the viability crisis is critical for housing and commercial development, including sectors like defence, AI, and life sciences. Hale also called for scrapping the Building Safety Levy, which is set to be introduced next month, as it further hinders housing delivery.
George McLellan, disputes partner at law firm Sharpe Pritchard, supported extending judicial review reforms, noting the increasing use of AI by litigants to disrupt decision-making processes. He suggested stronger costs sanctions against meritless cases.
Meanwhile, Paul Rickard, CEO of Pocket Living, welcomed plans for Local Industrial Strategies but stressed their need to integrate with housing policy. He highlighted that growth clusters in defence, life sciences, and AI require adequate housing to attract and retain workers. Rickard emphasized the role of mayors and local leaders in unlocking housing growth through fiscal devolution, addressing stalled sites, and delivering affordable infrastructure and homes.
The chancellor’s measures aim to support economic growth and are part of the government’s 10-year plan, with a focus on long-term local investment and public oversight of transport, energy, housing, and infrastructure.
Source: Estates Gazette
