MPs have backed the demands of the business community for
stronger action for affordable housing in rural areas.
The House of Commons West Midlands Select Committee today issued
its report Planning for the Future: Housing and Economic
Development in the West Midlands.
Its recommendations include:
· Steps must be taken now to
tackle the affordable housing crisis in the region;
· New ways need to be found to
work with business for investment in infrastructure before new
house building goes ahead;
· Planning barriers must be
removed for energy efficiency measures in homes to move forward
with greater urgency.
The recommendations follow Business Voice WM's calls for action
in written evidence to the Committee and in the wake of a meeting
between Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Regional Head of
Public Policy and Communications Debbie Walsh, a BVWM board member,
and the MPs in Worcester.
Ms Walsh said: "We are delighted that the MPs heeded the call of
business in stating that the logjam in affordable housing cannot be
allowed to continue. Among evidence cited by Business Voice WM, the
Country Land and Business Association and Herefordshire and
Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce it was emphasised that the
delays in getting affordable housing built in rural areas is
holding back the growth of key businesses. This is because they are
having problems recruiting skilled workers due to this housing
shortage".
"Coming at the start of this General Election campaign, the
report is an opportunity for the three main political parties to
take note of this issue. We can either continue to talk about this
problem decade after decade, or we can take heed of the West
Midlands Select Committee report and focus more effective
investment on affordable rural housing and improve life for people
living and working in our countryside."