On 7 February 2017, Theresa May’s Government published their long-awaited Housing White Paper. To many, it gave the impression of a document that had been kicked around Whitehall and steadily watered down from what was probably once a radical policy paper. Many sectors were dismayed by the absence of significant change after such fanfare in the lead up to publication. However, one sector that does seem set to be strengthened and could go on to win big is Build-to-Rent (BtR).

The recent press coverage on the Vacant Buildings Relief clause, introduced into the National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) in late November 2014, has engendered a fair amount of disbelief across the property divide. Local authorities in London and the South East are scratching their collective heads to understand how they have potentially lost billions of pounds in S106 contributions for affordable housing. Developers are pinching themselves at the serendipity of being presented with an unexpected windfall in their profit projections.

Of course, it would be wrong to suggest that there will not be other parts of the country where both local authorities and developers are pleased that it has suddenly become more viable to deliver brownfield land for residential development.

That, of course, was the Government's intention; to demonstrate for political purposes that they are the party of urban regeneration - of brownfield development over greenfield. The problem, is that the Government, in its desire for political gain, has once again failed to consider the detailed implications of its proposals.