Housing Secretary Aims to Streamline Regulations to Tackle Housing Shortage

Housing Secretary Michael Gove is set to announce plans to reduce red tape, making it easier for homeowners to extend their properties and convert empty shops into living spaces. This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to address the UK’s housing crisis. The new measures will provide greater flexibility for families looking to expand their homes and for property owners wishing to repurpose unused commercial buildings.

The proposals, which are expected to be revealed on Monday, will simplify rules around home extensions and loft conversions, making it easier for families to adjust their homes as they grow while ensuring the interests of neighbours are safeguarded. Gove has stressed the importance of better utilising existing buildings to help alleviate housing pressure, saying, “Empty shops or offices cannot be gathering dust while we have an urgent need for more homes.”

Additionally, the plans aim to revitalise high streets and increase housing density in urban centres, rather than contributing to suburban sprawl. Retail spaces, including shops, takeaways, and betting establishments, will be eligible for conversion into residential units, contributing to the regeneration of struggling high streets.

In a move to expand housing opportunities in cities, Gove will also propose the creation of development corporations to facilitate large-scale housing projects in places like Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. These entities would have the power to use compulsory purchase orders to acquire land, which would then be sold to developers for new housing developments.

While Gove’s announcement has been welcomed by some, critics argue that it does not go far enough in addressing the housing shortage. Labour’s shadow housing secretary, Lisa Nandy, described the plans as a “drop in the ocean,” calling for more substantial reforms to tackle the scale of the crisis. The government’s previous decision to downgrade the target of building 300,000 homes per year has further fueled concerns about its commitment to solving the issue.

Nandy has outlined Labour’s own housing proposals, including making it easier to build on underused areas of greenbelt land and restoring the 300,000-home target. She also criticised the government’s focus on reviews and press releases, calling for more decisive action to support housing development.

The government’s efforts come amid growing frustration about the housing crisis and uncertainty about how effectively the current measures will address the rising demand for affordable homes in the UK.