Politics
It’s no secret that the industry has been operating in an extremely challenging market as investors remain reluctant to deploy capital in the face of the UK’s uncertain political landscape.
With new prime ministers, housing ministers and frequent shifts in building regulations, Kate Ellison, Platform Housing’s Director of Land Partnerships, New Business and Innovation, was clear on the sector’s need for political stability if it’s to unlock the needed investment to reach the Government’s housing targets.
Local authorities suggest that the top down target approach for housing targets needs a refresh too. With no community having the same needs, whether housing-wise or socially, a national target does little to help local leaders. Laura Shoaf CBE , Chief Executive for West Midlands Authority, and Joanne Roney, Chief Executive for Manchester City Council, highlighted the need for local powers to set targets themselves, tapping into their local expertise alongside that of their partners to deliver valuable housing.
In her Keynote speech, Labour’s Angela Rayner, agreed, outlining Labour’s ambition to take inspiration from regional leaders and match the ambition of local authorities with a bottom up approach to housing delivery.
Partnership
The importance of partnership is well debated in the housing sector, but it’s crucial to culture and leisure development too.
Simeon Aldred, Strategy & Founder at Broadwick and Vibration groups, emphasised the role supportive landlords have played in their success. With financial support during times of difficulty and a “yes and” approach from British Land, Printworks has gone on to become a cultural phenomenon central to creating Canada Water’s sense of place.
Place
And that’s the third P. The industry is made up of sectors that look to contribute to a place people want to spend time, rather than just spaces to live and work – but the question today was what makes a place?
John Roberts, AFL Architects’ Director and Lead for Sports & Leisure, said it’s quite simply its leisure. To create a destination, a place rather than just a space, it must have a reason to visit and spend time, and a cultural offering that delivers unique experiences.
