CrowdProperty chief heralds opportunities from housing white paper
CrowdProperty chief executive Mike Bristow has welcomed a housing white paper on planning applications, saying it should provide opportunities for developers.
The government’s new Levelling Up White Paper, published last month, aims to transform the planning system in the UK by spreading opportunity across all parts of the country.
Bristow (pictured) said a fairer planning system should allow new developers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access the market and establish their product over time.
“One of the major issues that is apparent with the current planning system is the length of time it takes for a consent to come through, in many cases where there is a desperate need for homes locally,” he said in an article on LinkedIn.
“It is hoped that new policy will allow for the decision on allocations and where development should be focused to be down to those who will live, work and socialise in the area.”
Bristow noted that some industry stakeholders have been critical of the new white paper, due to concerns about a lack of funding to accompany the government’s plans.
“Whilst the proposals are admirable and supported, as is the concept of devolution in general, the major concern is that there aren’t sufficient plans in place to ensure that the targets are met,” Bristow added.
“Commentators have stressed that deliverability will be key to a successful outcome here and that these targets will need to be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis.”
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Bristow also said that his peer-to-peer development lending platform CrowdProperty is “busier than ever with new borrower enquiries” and has “ambitious” lending targets for this year.
Earlier this week, Bristow outlined how CrowdProperty follows the social aspect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) both internally and externally and said lenders must look beyond “cost hurdles” when considering ESG aspects of lending.