Northern growth strategy: next steps

THE NORTHERN HOUSING CONSORTIUM RESPONSED TO THE INVITATION FOR VIEWS from Government to help shape the next phase of the Northern Growth Strategy, ahead of a further update in the autumn.

Our submission to Government draws heavily on our Renew inquiry into housing-led regeneration for northern growth, supported by Homes for the North and Muse.

The Northern Growth Strategy: Next Steps sets out how the Government will drive growth in the North of England, working alongside local leaders. It recognises housing-led growth as a driver of productivity in northern towns and cities and commits to deeper devolution that empowers local leaders to shape and deliver growth.

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said: “The strategy focuses on the Northern Growth Corridor and densification of housing in the region’s major cities, promising to deliver 127,000 new homes. The recommendations are welcome, but there is a wider opportunity to make sure no one and nowhere is left behind. Our recent Renew report found that housing-led regeneration could unlock at least 500,000 high-quality homes across the North of England, creating thriving communities while supporting growth and productivity.

“Housing providers and other stakeholders told us viability is a widespread structural barrier across the North. Lower land values and high remediation costs for brownfield sites make many schemes unviable without Government support. In addition, lower rents but similar costs for northern social housing providers means investment in refurbishing and replacing homes often comes at the cost of building new homes.

“We are calling on the Government to provide the right support, including long-term devolved regeneration funding, and local capacity building, to seize the opportunity offered by housing-led regeneration. This will help achieve the housing ambitions set out in the Northern Growth strategy and support smaller towns and places in the North to thrive.  Our policy recommendations are about ensuring that regeneration is viable and achievable across the North, which has diverse needs and challenges. We are hopeful that the increased devolution recommended in the strategy will help target investment where it is needed most, including those smaller places.”

The Renew Report places the quality of homes and places at the heart of regeneration, viewing it as essential for health, wellbeing, and economic growth. We believe that with targeted investment and policy support, housing-led regeneration could unlock at least 500,000 high-quality homes across the North of England, creating thriving communities while supporting wider growth and productivity.