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Property key to Queen's Speech

Tuesday, 6 November 2007 12:00 AM

Housing is expected to be among the key themes of the Queen's Speech later today.

The government is expected to announce further building commitments, in addition to existing commitments to build three million new homes by 2020.

There are expected to be announcements to "unblock the planning system", allowing for the building of 100 new homes a day for the next decade to meet demand.

A new Home and Communities Agency is expected to be established in order to oversee the developments, taking responsibility for relieving the country's perceived housing shortage.

Local authorities opposed to the plans will be accused of "letting down" the future.

The measures are expected be included in a new Housing and Regeneration Bill.

The prime minister is also expected to make further announcements with regard to the eco-towns policy.

Plans for ten such towns have already been announced, but there are expectations more could be included due to a high number of applications for the first new towns since the 1960s.

One of the key elements of the government's legislation will involve the freeing of public land for house building.

A relaxation of planning laws is also expected to be included in the speech.

However, any changes are likely to be controversial.

"Government plans to overhaul the planning system are bad news for democracy and bad news for the environment," said Friends of the Earth director, Tony Juniper.

"Its proposals will strip away one of the public's key democratic rights to have a say on how their area is developed, easing the way for a whole range of climate-damaging developments.

"These proposals are undemocratic, environmentally-damaging and - according to recent legal advice - likely to be unlawful."

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