ConservativeHome began publication of its manifesto on Monday 01 September 2014. ConservativeHome is an influential, political blog set up prior to the 2005 UK general election that aims to epitomize grassroots Conservative opinion; it is independent of the Conservative Party, though supportive of it. Their manifesto lays out a detailed programme for more homes, better jobs and higher savings, underpinned by broader ideas for economic and political reform. Below I have summarized and given thought to the main points from part one of the manifesto, entitled - Homes For All.
The Challenge
The manifesto begins by laying out ‘The Challenge’ - that of returning to the levels of home ownership achieved by Thatcher in the 1980’s. It is identified by ConservativeHome that young people have been the hardest hit as home ownership levels have continuously slipped since the Thatcher years.
In light of this, it is interesting that the manifesto seems particularly focused on the provision of homes for young families,
“There’s strong evidence to show that young adults are putting off marriage and having children, not because they want to, but because they can’t afford a family home”
Such a focus will perhaps receive criticism; Conservative values overshadowing the needs and wants of 21st Century Britain and, specifically, the needs and wants of young adults.
The Response
A pro-ownership planning policy
How then does ConservativeHome suggest an improved provision of housing (family sized or otherwise) come about? The proposal to give planning authorities the option of requiring that homes in a new development only be sold to people intending to live in them will be popular, given the amount of media attention foreign property investors have received recently.
New paths to ownership
It is proposed all mortgage subsidies, such as the Help to Buy scheme, should be scrapped. Central government support should instead be focused on councils and social landlords. The new support will be conditional on the accomplishment of schemes that help create new homes and specifically the success of schemes that help tenants to become owners. Experimentation with different methods, such as part / part buy arrangements, would be encouraged. Once a track record is established, the most effective and successful of these new paths to ownership would receive additional government support.
A community led planning system
Unsurprisingly, given their Conservative aligned ideology, the empowerment of local communities and the furthering of the localism agenda play a big part in ConservativeHome’s suggestions. It is proposed a pro-active, community led planning system based on detailed Local Plans, drawn up with the full participation of local residents is needed. In the development of these plans Councils and their planning departments would have augmented powers to specify design details. In essence, the planning process would be turned on its head - beginning with what the community wants.
This can be perceived as an admirable yet questionable intention. Giving communities more of a say in planning priorities will be seen by many as desirable but how much more productive will this be in actuality? In 2013 it was reported that 52% of Councils failed to draw up local plans in time for the NPPF’s introduction (CPRE, 2013).
Garden Cities
Given the current enthusiasm surrounding the creation of Garden Cities, not least by the Conservative Party, it is natural that this manifesto advocates their construction. ConservativeHome propose Garden City Corporations, each one covering a specific area and headed by an elected mayor. The residents of these Garden Cities would:
“have a direct financial stake through the allocation of shares in each Corporation – and the closer the impact of new development, the more shares they’d get”
Again this proposal has a locally led focus and the manifesto stresses that Garden City Corporations would not be imposed from above, but would be dependent on consent through local referendum.
Whether you are in favour of the suggestions put forward by ConservativeHome or not, most would agree that the current planning system is marked by a “stunted vision of what development can achieve”. The importance of the planning system for the future of the UK mean that proposals on how to improve the planning process should not be readily dismissed, ideas should be considered with detail. Manifestos and reports such as this one undoubtedly spark debate and discussion, and debate and discussion precedes change.
http://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2014/09/the-conhome-manifesto-part-1-homes-for-all.html