Linda is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with over 20 years’ experience acting on behalf of public and private sector clients on a wide variety of regeneration and development projects.
REPLAY: Fast tracking affordable housing: partnering with SMEs for local impact
Linda Raynor
28 Nov 2024
Introduction
In 2021, the Place team at Local Partnerships secured an LGA grant and launched an SME pilot initiative with three local authorities.
Under this initiative, councils have been approved to contract a select group of SMEs in their areas to forward-purchase newly constructed affordable homes off-plan, paying in stages at a fixed price. This initiative complements other supply-side actions the councils are taking to unlock new-build affordable housing and expand council-owned stock. Councils work with local SMEs, who identify suitable sites and secure planning permission as usual.
Building on the pilot’s success, Local Partnerships has collaborated with other councils, including Rotherham Borough Council, which is now developing a new SME kickstart initiative. This initiative provides a fast-track route for SMEs to build homes on small sites within Rotherham Borough that they secure themselves.
If you’re interested in learning more about how this approach has successfully delivered high-quality, affordable homes in Rotherham—and how it could benefit your area—watch our webinar webinar.
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