Commenting on Government plans to build thousands of homes for first time buyers this year, Mishcon de Reya Planning Lawyer Daniel Farrand said:

"The announcement that Government will help with remediation and site assembly in 30 areas across the country is welcome news for housing delivery. It is understandable, given the very challenging commitment made to deliver 200,000 starter homes by 2020, that it has been linked with Starter Homes delivery. However, in doing so, the Government risks losing the good news amongst the controversy about the Starter Homes model with accusations that the tax-payer is providing one-off funding to a select group of first-time buyers rather than securing affordable housing in perpetuity. The legal framework for planning agreements and viability means that even with the cash injection, Starter Home delivery is likely to be at the expense of, rather than in addition to, more traditional forms of affordable housing. As a pure brownfield land story however, this announcement should be welcomed for delivering much needed regeneration and housing which might not otherwise happen."

To arrange an interview with Farrand contact deborah@the10group.co.uk / 0207 637 0656