Clear evidence of need
In our response to the consultation, we have stressed that regeneration must be based on evidence of local demand rather than blanket housing targets. Councils should be able to demonstrate what is required in their area, whether that is more homes to buy or rent, or a greater focus on community assets.
At the same time, developers facing rising costs will need targeted incentives to deliver affordable and mixed-tenure housing, rather than being pushed towards larger projects that fail to meet local needs.
Backing regeneration priorities
We gave strong backing to several of the programme’s proposals in our response, including:
- Investment in high streets and public spaces, making new and existing homes more desirable.
- Bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use, which can increase housing supply without major infrastructure costs.
- Strengthening local economies to attract new residents and boost housing demand.
Welcoming the recognition that no single solution can address the decline of high streets and communities, we outlined that each place requires tailored, long-term strategies, with regeneration kept as a strategic priority for the Northern Ireland Executive and local councils.
Flexibility for local decision makers
While we agree with the programme’s long-term outlook, we highlighted the importance of flexibility. For example, if national policy drives home ownership but a local area has greater demand for rental housing, councils must be free to adapt their plans. This approach is vital to ensure sustainable growth and thriving communities.
Building on our wider campaigning
This consultation response builds on our previous calls for infrastructure-led housing policy. In our position papers on the future of renting, home buying and selling, and our briefings for councillors, we have consistently argued that investment in new homes must go hand in hand with transport, schools, healthcare and wider community assets. Without this, regeneration efforts risk being short-lived.
There is no single answer to solving the decline of high streets and communities, and Propertymark welcomes the acknowledgement that local communities require solutions tailored to each of them. Where local planning is concerned, it’s essential to respond to specific housing needs to ensure that new homes can be filled and to create sustainable growth.
While we agree with the need for local councils to prioritise long-term solutions, any plans must have an element of flexibility to respond to new challenges.
