Policy changes 'good news for first-time buyers'
Thursday, 2 December 2010 2:09 PM
More affordable property for first-time buyers could potentially be built in rural areas as a result of government changes to housing policies, according to the experts at Smiths Gore.
Jason Beedell, head of research for the consultancy firm, said that government changes to localism will have a "key impact" on rural housing markets next year.
"Theoretically, it could be brilliant for the countryside and there could be more housing built where it is needed, and more affordable housing - not just social housing, but starter housing and first-time buyer housing - which would be great," he explained.
However, Beedell went on to say that "fears" existing in some neighbourhoods could see new developments deemed unnecessary in their area, making accessibility to housing "more difficult" in certain areas.
The expert's comments follow research from Lloyds TSB, which found that house prices in market towns were 14 per cent, or £29,319, more expensive than the nationwide average.
Set out in the queen's speech earlier this year, the decentralisation and localism bill details plans to devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods, giving local communities control over housing and planning decisions.
The bill pledged to abolish the Infrastructure Planning Commission and replace it with an efficient and democratically accountable system, providing a fast-track process for major development projects.
