1. 08 RICS.ORG/MODUS
T
hereisarevolutionunderwayinthe
UK’s delivery of new housing, and
one that is passing by many
commentators and industry players.
Quitesimply,wearegoingallcontinental
– and in doing so rediscovering our
entrepreneurial roots – as well as going
back to the future: councils are starting to
build again,and with quite some ambition.
What’s happened? Well, first, the
government’sratherexcellent2011housing
strategy paper for England has set out the
stall:weneedtosupportpeopleinbuilding
their own homes, albeit generally by commissioning a
builder–socalled “custombuild”.Inpartsofcontinental
Europe,this represents a huge proportion of the market.
Indeed, I recall as a student in 1985 going to see a
marketing suite in Hannover, Germany, with a field to
the rear full of show homes. A prospective homebuyer
could choose this design over here, the windows in the
one over there, and the kitchen and bathroom
combination from the one in the corner by the trees.
Thesehousescouldbedeliveredlock,stockandbarrelin
sixmonthsonaplotoflandsecuredfromacouncilwhose
job it was to create serviced housing plots to facilitate
home building.Job done.
This new model is emerging in the UK, and several
players, among them Kevin McCloud’s HAB, seeking to
scaleupintothismarket.Theinterestingthingaboutall
of this is that, at heart, it is inherently entrepreneurial
– and also politically game changing.
In the context of ongoing talk of“generation rent”–
one of many things that is creating increasing
disengagement and disenchantment among younger
voters – the political parties have a terrific opportunity.
Imagine the sense of excitement, of empowerment, indeed
of deep satisfaction for those who would seize the
opportunity and build or commission their own home.
A vote winner,for sure.
Imagine also the line of national entities and consumer
brands, so adept at customer service – in marked contrast
to most housebuilders – who may line up to support this
new, truly customer-centred market. Virgin Homes for
ultra-connected houses? Maybe Marks and Spencer or
John Lewis for interior design services? This field could
really open up.
Itseemsthemomentumisbuilding.ShouldtheSelfBuild
and Custom Housebuilding Bill become law, councils will be required to set
aside and identify land for custom build and self build
Atthesametime,councilsarebeinggivenlatitudetoborrowmoneyagainst
their housing revenue accounts to enable them to build their own housing
developments, providing homes for their residents, and votes for the political
parties that make it happen.
Therearesomeambitiouscouncilsoutthere,highlymotivatedtopleasetheir
voters,and I believe they are going to become significant players in this sector
once again. They must, of course, not repeat the lessons of the 1960s council
buildingboom,nowinfamousforlowbuildstandards,poorarchitectureandan
oft-percieved,top-down disregard for the needs of those to be housed.
Forthesenewhomestowincouncillorsvotesfromademandingpublic,they
need to be something to truly aspire to, not some of the identikit and soulless
housing that we still see so many housebuilders turn out. Many councils are
already wise to this, and are driving quality. As a result, a new nexus in design
anddemocracybeckons.Wemaybeonourwaytoanewfutureinhousingwhere
“good homes”become the norm.A future that already exists in so many of the
housing markets of our continental neighbours.
Better late than never.
WHAT’SYOURVIEW?Emailyourthoughtstoeditor@ricsmodus.com
“In the context of ‘generation rent’ – one of many
things creating disengagement among younger voters
– the political parties have a terrific opportunity”
ILLUSTRATIONSANDREAMANZATI,MARKBOARDMAN
PETE HALSALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, GOOD HOMES ALLIANCE