East Anglia developer urges government to cut red tape

Posted 21/06/2012

A housing developer based in East Anglia has called for the coalition government to take action and cut red tape that is stifling growth in the sector.According to James Hopkins, executive chairman of Hopkins Homes, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat alliance has taken a step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go.Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, he pointed out the more the planning system “stagnates” and the planning process is “delayed”, the more unaffordable houses will become for individuals in the region.”The point is that the shortage of housing has pushed up prices so that often homes are not affordable for local people,” Mr Hopkins said, arguing red tape should be cut to make it easier for housing developers to create new dwellings.Genie Barham, a commercial property lawyer in Ashtons Legal’s Norwich office, adds: “Although the government’s planning reforms, including the introduction of the new National Planning Policy Framework, are to be welcomed, their impact in redressing the drastic shortage in housing supply in the UK will have to wait to be seen. In the short term, the reduction in red tape and increased supply of sustainable housing are a must to encourage the necessary economic growth.”Posted by Genie Barham