Earlier this month (August), the government set out its plans to overhaul the country’s planning system and reform the way it builds, with processes set out to streamline operations, slash red tape and make use of technology to deliver the homes the UK needs much faster.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick announced on August 6th that high-quality and sustainable homes will be put at the heart of the housing policy reforms, with valued green spaces and green belt land enjoying continued protection for future generations and more construction allowed on brownfield land.
However, the executive director of the representative Associated Retirement Community Operators has spoken out against the plans, saying that the white paper appears to have forgotten about older people altogether.
Michael Voges noted that the government claims it is “planning for the future”, but this future seems to be one in which older demographics” do not feature at all”, not taking into account the needs of an ageing population whatsoever.
“These proposals entirely ignore the housing and potential care needs of 12 million older people. We call on the government to give this issue urgent attention through specific policy commitments.
“The greatest housing shortage the UK faces is of older people’s housing with care and we are falling further behind other countries. Older people do not have enough good options to downsize to where they can have peace of mind that their health and care needs will be met,” he went on to say.
CBI chief UK policy director Matthew Fell welcomed the news, however, saying that these changes will help to make more homes available where they’re needed, getting housebuilders into work, supporting supply chains and allowing for more flexible local labour markets.
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