Reaction from industry leaders: Keir Starmer’s Conference Speech

Following Labour Leader Keir Starmer’s speech at Labour Party Conference, the following industry leaders have come out and backed Labour’s approach to get Britain’s future back.  

Sir Nigel Wilson, Group Chief Executive at Legal and General, said:

“The needs of communities around the UK have changed dramatically over the last generation, and will continue to in response to changing demographics, climate change and the opportunities of new industry.

“So far we are not keeping up: our target of 300,000 new homes a year has never been met, affordable housing is becoming more challenging to deliver in the context of higher interest rates and inflation, and to achieve the UK’s power sector decarbonisation targets, we need to treble electricity generation connected to the Grid by 2035.

“Meeting these needs requires national and local collaboration coupled with modernisation of planning and construction, improvements to funding and a change in culture. We welcome Labour’s approach, which seeks to take a holistic view of these barriers to deliver ambitious outcomes.”

Mark Allan, Chief Executive at Landsec, said:

“We have been advocating for an approach to planning reform that prioritises action around brownfield urban regeneration, that resources the system more effectively and that recognises the particular challenges of developing within urban areas. Doing so will help unlock more economic growth, speed up the delivery of new homes and create jobs around the country.   

“The ideas set out today would definitely move things in the right direction.”  

Simon Carter, Chief Executive at British Land, said:

“British Land welcomes Labour’s commitment to speeding up the planning system, intensifying brownfield development and rejuvenating our great towns and cities. Practical, deliverable planning reform is key to incentivising investment, driving productivity and returning the country to long-term sustainable growth, while ensuring that it remains internationally competitive.

“Up front engagement will be critical to ensuring that communities across the country benefit from this investment and we welcome plans to enhance public participation in the planning process.”

Mark Skilbeck, Planning Director at Taylor Wimpey, said: 

“We welcome the proposals outlined today to reform the planning system. The proposals combine short-term actions and medium-term strategy which will knit together a system that is currently dysfunctional.

“Whilst we await for further details, we believe that these reforms should lead to speedier decisions across the country and ultimately much needed homes.”  

Greg Fitzgerald, Chief Executive at Vistry Group, said:

“We have a housing crisis. The planning system is not delivering the homes the country needs. It is not providing the certainty necessary for business to invest or the positive vision for local communities.

“We are encouraged by the moves which seek to deliver both short, medium and long term changes to unblock and reform the planning system. We stand ready to deliver new mixed tenure homes and communities to provide the most basic of human need - a safe and secure home.”  

David Thomas, Chief Executive at Barratt Developments, said:

“We welcome the proposals to improve the current planning system and ensure that local authorities put in place positive plans for housing delivery in their areas.

“We need certainty, consistency and a long-term approach to get Britain building the much-needed, high quality and energy efficient homes the country needs.” 

Dean Finch, Group Chief Executive at Persimmon Homes, said:

“First time buyers and hard-working trades people have borne the brunt of the recent decline in housebuilding.

“It is therefore very encouraging to see a welcome set of proposals that seek to address the main challenges and get the country building the homes we need.”

Rob Perrins, Chief Executive at Berkeley Group, said:

“We welcome Labour's proposals to drive a sustained recovery in home building, including a refocus on a properly resourced and incentivised plan led system, and joined up strategic planning around growth corridors.

“These are all measures Berkeley has called for as important ways to materially increase housing delivery where it is most needed, and particularly on brownfield land in our major towns and cities.

“We expect these measures to allow Berkeley to play our full part in ending the acute housing crisis and drive sustainable economic growth. We look forward to working with our partners in local and regional government to give many more people the simple dignity of a secure home."

David O’Leary, Executive Director at HBF, said:

“We welcome policies that would make planning more effective and allow the industry to deliver desperately needed homes. Planning remains the biggest barrier to the delivery of new homes and it requires urgent attention.

“Consistent levels of house building can only be achieved with a properly functioning planning system based on up-to-date local plans. Councils must plan for the housing needs of their communities and local planning authorities should retain the fees being paid by developers to re-invest in this vital social and economic public service. 

“Decades of under-delivery has led to us having some of the oldest, least affordable and worst performing housing stock in Europe. A properly resourced and effective planning system must be the foundation for tackling these huge national challenges.  

Fiona Fletcher-Smith, Chief Executive at L&Q, said:

“We welcome planning reform proposals which will speed up housing delivery, increase skills and resources for local planning authorities, and reduce delays, risks, costs and uncertainty. 

“At L&Q we are committed to playing our part in solving the housing crisis, but that must be supported, not hindered by the planning system. On the other hand, planning reform should not overload local planning authorities or planning committees, but instead ensure sufficient resource, support and expertise.

“I am therefore encouraged to see more thought being given to strategic planning, capacity-building, infrastructure development and regional cooperation, which are the catalysts for the new towns and communities which this country needs.” 

Gavin Smart, Chief Executive at Chartered Institute of Housing, said:

“An effective planning system is key to ensuring we have the right homes in the right places that people can afford. Clarity and consistency in the current system are urgently needed, backed by a comprehensive resourcing and skills strategy. Today’s announcement is a welcome recognition of the importance of this.”