Councils must be given more power to tackle housing crisis

9.08.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 30th Nov 2006

Commenting on reforms to planning guidance announced today, to increase the number of family homes and cut carbon emissions from new homes, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Dan Rogerson MP said The Government may have identified the problem but is devoid of ideas on how to solve our housing crisis. Rather than issuing yet further guidance, local councils should be given more flexibility to solve their community's needs."

Mr. Rogerson further said "Allowing councils to retain some family-sized homes instead of them becoming flats, or in some instances allowing flat conversions to be restored to family-sized homes, would help the shortage of suitable houses for young families struggling to get on the property ladder. Councils have been leading the way in requiring more energy efficient homes and greater use of renewable energy on new developments. They should be allowed to get on with delivering reductions in carbon emissions now and not have to wait for yet more policy pronouncements from the Government."