Bob Weston says green regulations are adding 20% to build costs as housebuilder pulls 1,100-home scheme
The founder of Weston Homes has called for a full review of the burden of regulations on housebuilders.
The Essex-based builder last week , blaming national planning interventions, net neutrality rules and building safety reforms, among other factors.
Speaking to Housing Today after the announcement, chair and managing director Bob Weston said that the Anglia Square scheme was by no means an exception and that all sites were 鈥渦nder the same pressure鈥� on cost.
鈥淭he most significant thing looking forward is the massive increase in build cost which has been twofold, a 30-35% increase in inflation build cost, plus another 20% increase in build cost due to environmental regulations and green agenda requirements,鈥� he said.
鈥淭hat is generating a 55% increase in cost at a time when values are at best static 鈥� you don鈥檛 need a calculator to work out [the impact]鈥�.
Weston said that while he did not think the net zero agenda was 鈥渢he wrong thing鈥�, he said more intention needed to be paid to the 鈥渦nintended consequence鈥� of green policies on delivery.
He continued: 鈥淚 think someone needs to sit back and do a review of all [regulations] and say 鈥榓re we absolutely certain that we need to be doing this?鈥�.
鈥淐ertain things you are going to come up with the answer that we are, and we need to find ways around it. But I think it does need a review.鈥�
He said he did not think housebuilding was a priority for the government and accused the housing secretary, Michael Gove, of embracing a 鈥淣IMBY鈥� strategy to 鈥渄efend marginal seats鈥�.
Weston singled out net neutrality rules for particular criticism 鈥� which held up the Anglia Square scheme for 18 months 鈥� noting research that laid the blame for nutrient pollution at the door of farmers.
>>See also: Barratt deal would not have been necessary if not for 鈥榙ire鈥� housing market, says Redrow founder
>>See also:鈥楾he figures on starts are terrifying鈥�. What鈥檚 really happening to the Affordable Homes Programme
The HBF has said nutrient neutrality rules, which require that housing developments in specified areas do not add to pollution of waterways with nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphates, are holding back 150,000 homes currently.
Michael Gove had promised to scrap the rules 鈥渁t the first availability opportunity鈥� through standalone legislation, after failing to pass the reforms as an amendment to another bill.
However, he recently confirmed that a 鈥�
鈥淲hy is building 1,100 homes in Norwich city centre considered the cause of nutrients in the River Wensum?鈥� he asked.
He estimated that housebuilding rates would fall to 100,000 homes per year and said it would take 鈥渢hree to five years, even under a new administration, to get that output back up鈥�.
鈥淭he damage is significant and long-term,鈥� he added.
No comments yet