Designing The Future: Key Insights From The Labour Party’S First 100 Days
Design | Blog
Introduction
It has been more than 100 days since the Labour Party came into power after the UK electorate took to the polls on 4 July 2024. With housing at the forefront of the new government’s agenda, promises of reform and development have sparked hope but also raised questions.
To assess the impact so far, we hosted a roundtable where experts from across land promotion, housebuilding, public services and planning came together to discuss the Labour government’s approach to housing and public services.
The discussion centred on the urgent need to expedite the delivery of high-quality design in housing developments, and a clear theme emerged regarding the balance between design quality and addressing the housing crisis.
Here are the key takeaways and recommendations from the conversation.
1. The Importance of Quality Design
Discussion Highlights:
- Tamsin Almeida, senior planning manager at Hayfield Homes, Terra and Living Space, emphasised the need for aesthetically-pleasing housing, “Everyone deserves to live in a home that is not only functional but also visually appealing. When reviewing the designs architects have submitted, always think about what the design legacy is going to be for future generations.”
- Sally Miller, senior land and planning manager at Hallam Land Promotion, acknowledged the challenges: “The housing crisis is too big to solve quickly and we must be realistic about what we can achieve in the short term. However, this doesn’t mean we should compromise on quality. Let’s not build rubbish; let’s think about the long-term impact of our decisions.”
- Joanna Deffley, land partner at Shakespeare Martineau, highlighted the need for a shift in mindset: “We need to recognise that investing in good design can actually save money in the long run by preventing costly retrofits and repairs. Good design pays for itself by ensuring our homes are built to last and meet the needs of the community.”
Recommendation:
Prioritise design in policy: Encourage local authorities to integrate design principles into planning regulations and support the development of design codes that facilitate high-quality outputs without sacrificing affordability.
2. Balancing Aesthetic and Functional Design
Discussion Highlights:
- Dean Weldon, development manager at Deeley Group, raised a pivotal question: “How important is aesthetic design versus functional design? Can we find a balance that satisfies both needs?”
- Sandra Ford, planning director at Marrons, added that there should be a distinction between individual house design and the collective impact on the surrounding community: “We should make a distinction between the design of individual homes and the collective impact on the surrounding community. It’s essential to ask ourselves: What’s more important? A great looking house or a legible place when you step outside your front door.”
- Luke Hillson, design partner at Marrons, emphasised the importance of considering both factors: “The goal should be to create places that not only look good but also function effectively for residents. A beautiful home or place must also serve its purpose effectively; otherwise, it becomes a failure in design.”
Recommendation:
Develop clear guidelines: Establish clear criteria for evaluating both aesthetic and functional aspects of housing projects to ensure community needs are met while maintaining high design standards.
3. Challenges Within the Current Planning System
Discussion Highlights:
- Sally criticised the excessive complexity in the planning process: “When the goalposts are moved midway through the process, it often leads to long delays. This complexity is detrimental to timely housing delivery.” She highlighted the need for strategic planning to streamline processes and reduce delays.
- Megan Wilson planning director at Marrons, noted the political pressures that hinder effective planning: “Until we can remove politics from decision making, it’s unclear how we’ll resolve the issues. Political interests often interfere with practical planning solutions, leaving communities and developers frustrated.”
Recommendation:
Streamline planning processes: Advocate for simplifying planning regulations and procedures to allow quicker approvals for developments that meet established design and community standards.
4. Engaging the Community and Younger Generations
Discussion Highlights:
- Ali Bird, planning manager at Bromford, highlighted the lack of community engagement, stating, “Many aren’t engaging with the process because they simply didn’t want the houses there. We need to change the narrative that any development is bad. This disconnect illustrates the importance of addressing community concerns and building trust.”
- Megan called for an educational push, saying, “As an industry, we need to drive that narrative. We want young people when choosing their GCSEs to say, ‘these are the subjects I’m taking because I want to become a planner’. It’s a really important job and if we engage them early on, they can become advocates for smart development and contribute to shaping their communities.”
- Luke stressed the need for better outreach: “We need to find innovative ways to engage younger generations. Their voices are crucial in shaping the future of housing. We need to create platforms where their voices are heard and valued in the planning process.”
Recommendation:
Community engagement initiatives: Implement programmes to educate the community, particularly younger people, about the benefits of new housing developments, encouraging a sense of ownership and involvement in local planning.
5. Varied Housing Choices
Discussion Highlights:
- Polly Mathews, land and planning manager at St Joseph Homes Ltd, stressed the need for diverse housing types: “We need a mixture of all tenure types in our developments. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work; our communities are diverse and their housing needs must reflect that.”
Recommendation:
Encourage mixed-use developments: Create policies that promote a mix of housing types, including affordable options, to meet the diverse needs of communities and encourage sustainable living environments.
6. Addressing Poor Build Quality
Discussion Highlights:
- Sandra expressed concerns over poor construction quality: “Residents often voice their frustrations about the quality of new builds and, in some cases, they’re not wrong. Unfortunately, some developers don’t meet the necessary standards, leading to dissatisfaction and distrust within communities.”
Recommendation:
Strengthen building regulations: Implement stricter building quality assessments and follow-up evaluations to ensure compliance with standards, coupled with penalties for non-compliance to enhance accountability.
7. The Role of Government in Design Quality
Discussion Highlights:
- Megan pointed out the importance of government intervention in addressing planning refusals: “Wasted time and resources occur when planning officers are bogged down with these issues rather than handling other applications. We need a more streamlined approach.”
- Joanna added that the government must lead by example: “By prioritising design in their own projects, the government can set a benchmark for developers to follow.”
Recommendation:
Policy reforms for flexibility: Encourage government reforms that allow local authorities to adapt planning regulations more flexibly, reducing bureaucratic hurdles while ensuring quality design is not compromised.
Labour’s Achievements and Missed Opportunities
As the Labour Party marks its first 100 days in office, several achievements have been noted, including an increased commitment to affordable housing and a renewed focus on community engagement. Stakeholders have recognised efforts to streamline certain planning processes and prioritise design quality in new developments.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also promised to reform the National Planning Policy Framework, including a new method to calculate minimum housing need.
However, there are also missed opportunities. Critics point out that while the government has made strides, the pace of change has been too slow in the face of a pressing housing crisis. There’s a call for bolder action on enhancing the diversity of housing types and a more proactive approach in addressing poor build quality.
We must not lose sight of the urgent need for housing that meets the diverse needs of our communities. The focus must remain on not just making promises but delivering tangible results that benefit all residents.
Conclusion
The roundtable highlighted the intricate relationship between high-quality design, community needs and effective planning policies.
By focusing on these key areas and implementing the recommended strategies, stakeholders can work towards creating sustainable, well-designed places and high-quality homes that address the pressing housing crisis.
Engaging communities, streamlining planning processes and prioritising quality design will be crucial for the success of future developments. Read Marrons’ Housing Need 2040 report.
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Marrons is a multi-service development consultancy backed by the experience of working for local authorities, extensive market intel and connections across the industry - from planning offices and private landowners to housebuilders and retailers.
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