| Abstrakt: |
The South West region of the UK is facing a housing affordability crisis, with higher-than-average house prices and lower-than-average salaries making it difficult for local residents to find affordable properties. A study conducted by Homes for the South West and the University of the West of England found that the region has "acute problems of housing affordability" and called for an increase in the proportion of affordable homes built. The lack of affordable housing is affecting all sectors of the market, including social housing, private rentals, and homebuyers. The imbalance in affordability is partly due to the high number of second homes owned by non-residents in the region. The manifesto for change published by Homes for the South West recommends allocating half of all public land disposals to affordable homes and implementing quicker planning processes for compliant schemes. The cost of building in the South West is as high as in the South East, making it financially risky for developers. The region also faces challenges related to nutrient neutrality and significant delays in the planning process. To address the housing crisis, there is a need for greater incentives for brownfield development, creative urban design, and a strategic approach involving both the public and private sectors. [Extracted from the article] |
