CLA look at private sector solutions for affordable housing

CLA look at private sector solutions for affordable housing

A Government report published earlier this year highlighted the need to increase the provision of let housing being built or financed by the private sector – yet many who attempt to venture down that route find themselves frustrated by rules and regulations, by unhelpful tax regimes and difficulties obtaining finance.

This month the Country Land and Business Association is offering would be developers a chance to hear expert guidance on finding the right way through the obstacles at a conference due to be held at Muddifords Court Country House, Willand, Cullompton.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, says many CLA members would like to help reduce the national housing shortage by increasing the number of new homes available to let in rural areas.

“In the past land owners made land available “outside the planning envelope” to allow for affordable housing but the ability to provide such housing and the encouragement to do so has gradually been eroded. With the new Localism Agenda  and a new CLA policy document on rural housing currently being debated, there could not be a better time for the CLA to engage with its members to highlight the opportunities that already exist and to seek new views on how the system might be changed for the better.”

The event will include presentations from the CLA’s own Housing Advisor, Danielle Troop,

who has previously worked on housing-led regeneration, and affordable housing delivery, will outline the political background to the rural housing agenda and the CLA’s policy objectives.

There will also be presentations from the Director of Rural Housing Solutions, Jo Lavis, from Simon Conibear of the Duchy of Cornwall who will talk about the Poundbury development, from Martin Page, Land Director of First Step Homes and from expert representatives of the sponsors, Savills and Clarke Willmott.

“There are obstacles which stand in the way of private sector investment in affordable housing, such as whether the localism agenda will encourage or thwart those ambitions; whether national planning policy will assist us in finding new ways to provide housing and what to do about a  tax system  that positively hinders growth for private landlords, we have assembled a formidable amount of expertise within our panel who, between them, will know how to pick a way through the minefield and discover the opportunities that lie on the other side,” said Mr Mortimer.

The event, titled “Rural Housing: The Challenges and Opportunities for Landowners” is being held at Muddifords Court Country House, Willand, Cullompton,  on Thursday 22 November from 1.30pm - 5.30pm the cost is  £20.00 for CLA Members and £35.00 non-members and tickets can be reserved via the CLA regional office on 01249 700200 or at southwest@cla.org.uk