Research has shown that almost 90 per cent of the population believe property prices to be a major problem in their areas, something which is worsening for first-time buyers across the country.
The findings are the first clear indication that the public recognises the unique importance of first-time buyers to the local and national economy and how badly they are suffering in the present housing shortage, says New Homes Marketing Board chairman David Pretty CBE.
Pretty is now renewing his call for the Government, local authorities and housebuilders to all work together to introduce a package of extra help for first-timers.
He wants both central Government and local authorities to rapidly speed up the release of their redundant and surplus land suitable for housing, and to introduce a ‘fast-track’ planning application process for first-time buyer homes.
Once housing output has increased, he would like to see these measures followed by the elimination of Stamp Duty – or at least raising the threshold to £250,000 – something the Tories would hasten to agree with in light of yesterday’s speeches at the Conservative Party Conference.
Pretty also called on the housebuilding industry to devote at least 20 per cent of future production to homes suitable for first-time buyers, to give them greater help with deposits and moving costs – and to give first-timers genuine priority over investor purchasers.
He said: “This NHMB survey indicates that the housing shortage is a reality and is being felt right across the country in virtually all social and age groups. What’s more, when we asked our sample who should take most responsibility for trying to solve the problems facing first-time buyers, more than half – 54 per cent – said it should be jointly tackled by the public sector and the private sector, that is with Government, local councils, housebuilders and housing associations working together.
“I believe, however, that this should actually be a three-way partnership, with local communities playing their own part. While our poll showed that the vast majority of people see the plight of first-timers as a very serious local issue, only around half of those surveyed said they would support new home building in their immediate neighbourhood.
“That’s understandable to an extent, but communities need to play their part and embrace more new homes, particularly in areas of acute housing need.”
