Issues
Providing a holistic approach to sustainable communities
The group aims to conduct a holistic review of all the constituent elements that combine to create genuinely sustainable communities. The group wants the UK to be an innovator in sustainable growth and urban renewal. Our vision is to see a regeneration sector where physical infrastructure is delivered on time using innovative finance mechanisms; where communities plan for economic sustainability as well as housing growth; where environmental concerns are tackled through clearly defined sustainability frameworks with a joined-up vision from Government and properly targeted incentives; where the supply of affordable housing is increased across-the-board using innovative funding methods such as harnessing finance from institutional investment; and where governance arrangements ensure that partnership between the public and private sectors is fully maximised.
Exploring innovative methods of infrastructure delivery
Infrastructure is often cited as the most significant barrier to progress in delivering development and regeneration, and public expenditure is often difficult to square when transport competes with healthcare and education budgets. This, together with the Government's commitment to reducing its Public Sector Borrowing Requirement, makes it increasingly necessary for other sources of finance to be explored to ensure that vital infrastructure is delivered.
A number of funding mechanisms exist which could enable the public sector to access private sector finance to fund infrastructure projects. The group will seek to explore which mechanisms are most likely to work and ask tough questions about governance arrangements since some mechanisms may require local authorities to be granted new financial powers. The group's first inquiry session will address this issue in winter 2006. For further information go to the 'Meetings & inquiries' page.
Bringing urban renewal to deprived areas
The group plans to hold an inquiry that will address the correlation between business demand in deprived areas and the potential for renewal and development. The group will explore what policies would promote greater business investment in business-deprived areas with the potential for business growth that would in turn incentivise regeneration and urban renewal projects.
Part of the inquiry will examine Business Improvement Districts, and the scope for expanding their reach into deprived areas. Currently, BIDs are levied on business tenants rather than property owners. Extending the levy to property owners would be fairer, and could usefully help BIDs penetrate deprived areas. This inquiry is planned for 2007. Further information go to the 'Meetings and inquiries' page.
Increasing affordable housing supply
Improving the quality and supply of housing has become one of the most pressing political issues in the UK. It is also a key long term strategic issue for the country: demographic change means an increasing number of households, and continued growth in the Greater South East is creating severe affordability pressures.
Cities and urban areas are key ‘building sites’ for new housing. And in practice, different parts of the country face different challenges: from delivering cheap homes in the South, to remodelling the whole housing offer in parts of the North.
Building on the recent Housing Green Paper, the UDG will look at how to deliver different housing offers. In particular, it will look at the role of the private sector in providing affordable housing – through the private rented sector, and through increased institutional investment.
A joined-up framework for environmental sustainability
The Government has recently published the findings of its Energy Review that aims to reduce the UK's CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050. In order to achieve the Government's targets for climate change, there must be a joined-up strategic framework to ensure that all sectors increase energy efficiency as well as limit carbon emissions. For the built environment this is being applied through building regulations, the European Union's new Energy Performance of Building's Directive, and through new national planning policies. With a clear goal in sight, there is a need for all stakeholders within the development and regeneration sector to understand how to comply with new regulations whilst ensuring that regeneration can proceed with value added to developments. The group will be examining what challenges are presented by climate change and the opportunities environmental sustainability can bring to the regeneration sector.
Continuing planning reform
The planning system has undergone substantial change with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and further reform is likely following the Barker Review of Land Use Planning and the Chancellor's decision on proposals to implement a new development land tax called the Planning Gain Supplement. The group aims to examine the effect of these reforms within the wider context of the planning system's role, function and ability to deliver regeneration and urban renewal.
Objectives
Bringing regeneration experts to Parliament
One of the group's primary objectives is to increase the dialogue between regeneration practitioners and Parliamentarians in order to educate MPs and Peers and to raise the profile of development and physical regeneration issues within Parliament.
Through meetings, inquiry sessions, and fact finding study tours the group draws on the knowledge and expertise of a broad range of practitioners involved in regeneration and development including:
· National, regional, and local government politicians and civil servants
· Bankers and financiers who fund regeneration schemes
· Property developers who build and invest in development and regeneration schemes across the UK
· Planning experts from the public and private sectors
· Business occupiers whose relocation to regenerated areas help build local economies
· Leading experts from the fields that support physical regeneration in the UK
· Policy experts from leading Westminster think tanks and public policy organisations
Holding inquiry sessions
Inquiry sessions allow the group to have a formal dialogue with practitioners. Stakeholders are invited to provide written evidence and oral testimony to the group's committee of officers at its inquiry sessions in Parliament. Following the oral evidence sessions, the committee will publish a report making recommendations to the Government for policy change. Background research for the group's inquiry sessions is provided by the independent urban policy think tank Centre for Cities at IPPR.
Making policy recommendations to Government
Drawing on the knowledge of expert stakeholders, the group is better able to understand the processes and structures under which regeneration takes place, from governance to regeneration funding, infrastructure funding, the planning system, construction, and occupation. By conducting research and holding inquiry sessions, the group can examine how existing policies, structures and legislative frameworks are working in practice and where reform is required.
Meeting to discuss legislation
The group tracks legislation that may affect urban renewal and development in the UK. When legislation is introduced to Parliament, the group may meet to discuss and brief members on its perceived impact. The group can invite outside experts to appear before the committee of officers to outline stakeholders' concerns with the legislation, which will be used to inform the group's briefings for Parliamentarians.
Regeneration study tours
A series of regeneration study tours is being planned for 2007. Study tours provide an opportunity for Parliamentarians to see the development and regeneration process first-hand and meet with practitioners on the ground. Study tours will include site visits, talks by practitioners, and an opportunity for Parliamentarians to engage with those who are making regeneration happen in the UK.
