CLA welcomes new Government brokerage offer between landowners and local authorities

The CLA today (15 August) welcomed Government proposals to provide trained intermediaries to broker deals between landowners and local authorities to kick-start stalled housing projects in rural areas.

The Association has urged members with stalled development sites to contact their local planning authorities within the pilot authorities of Northumberland, Kirklees and Ashford to renegotiate planning obligations and increase site viability.

CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “We believe unblocking currently unviable sites shows real determination by the Government to tackle the housing shortage and boost growth.

“Rural areas need a range of housing options, but many CLA members involved in housing projects had Section 106 agreements negotiated in better times and can no longer deliver in the current economic climate. Government intermediaries to broker deals to make it easier to build houses will help enormously.”