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Cllr David Renard, Housing Spokesperson for the Local Government Association, responds to the written ministerial statement on Building Beautiful Places.

"To be most effective, this new regime will need to be properly funded and action is also needed to address the chronic shortage of fire engineers and other competent professionals in the UK today."

“Councils want to work with government on developing the detail of its Planning Bill and to go further and faster to tackle our housing crisis."

"Councils want to work with Government to tackle the housing crisis and reduce homelessness."

“Councils want to work with government to reform and strengthen our planning system, ensuring it is locally-led, and that communities are able to shape their local areas, have their say on new developments in their neighbourhoods, and see they are supported by the right infrastructure. "

Responding to the announcement that all new housing developments must meet local standards of beauty, quality and design, Cllr David Renard, housing spokesperson for the LGA, said: “We look forward to seeing the details of the draft national design code and the new Office for Place. We want to continue to work with the Government to get these proposals right. “Councils need to be at the forefront of a locally determined planning system which meets the housing needs and aspirations of their communities, and support proposals that go some way to facilitating that. “Along with government

“It is good that the Government has listened to councils’ concerns and announced a review into testing to ensure our national approach is fit for purpose, alongside the new national construction products regulator."

“To ensure a successful recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, communities need stability and certainty in planning. This can only be achieved through a locally-led, well-resourced planning system where communities have a proper say over developments in their local area."

"Councils fully support the aspiration of people wanting to buy their own home and helping those that want to buy to be able to. However not everybody is ready to buy, and councils need to be able to ensure a mix of homes and tenures are available in their local area, including homes for sale, social homes and other affordable homes."

“Councils are committed to building homes with the right infrastructure that local communities need and are supportive of custom and self-build housing as one way of achieving that.