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FMB NORTHERN IRELAND DIRECTOR, GAVIN MCGUIRE, RESPONDS TO PROPOSED NORTHERN IRELAND HOUSING STRATEGY…
FMBmembers are essential todelivery of HousingStrategy
R ecently, the proposed Housing Strategy by the Department for Communities was opened for comment. This provided the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) with an opportunity to engage with the Department and the wider industry, stressing the vital role of small and medium-sized building companies (SMEs) in delivering key objectives. There is a need for ambition, financial support and an improved planning system to build the new housing that is needed. The Minister for Communities has spoken of the goal to deliver 100,000 homes over a 15-year period. We are keen to encourage a clear vision and ambition for this goal. However, if we break that figure down it amounts to just under 7,000 per year, which is roughly what we are delivering now.
being currently delivered and not meeting Northern Ireland’s housing needs. Why not provide the finance to deliver some 10,000 homes per year over the first three-year period, for example? This would have a huge impact and represent a real move forward. It would attract more contractors to commit to homebuilding and re-energise the recruitment of new talent to work in the industry. 2. Make more small sites available for SME developers. The home building sector in Northern Ireland is comprised of several large private developers and housing associations. However, there are several small developers, many of whom we are proud to have as FMB members, who are well placed to deliver quality projects and who can develop smaller sites – an essential aspect to any housing strategy. Significant effort is needed on the part of the public and private sectors to make more space available for house building projects. 3. Develop more homes on the high street. It’s important to explore all options to increase our housing supply. Given the
changing nature of our town centres, the Department should explore the role of spaces on our high streets for potential use in residential development. The population of inner-city Belfast is at its lowest since the 1890s and has seen a gradual decline since 1971. We acknowledge that towns and cities have not always been the most advantageous places to live here in Northern Ireland, but reintroducing people with the right skills and the right opportunities back into our town centres is achievable and could revitalise these areas. 4. Simplify our planning system with investment in local council planning departments to speed up the process. We need to build confidence in a planning system, which is fit for purpose. Many FMB members feel a sense of frustration with long drawn- out processes, which have hindered development. Looking forward, we need to see an Executive that invests in the skills, finance, incentives and planning to deliver a programme of housing which all of society deserve.
WHAT ARE THE FMB’S ASKS?
1. A bolder target for yearly home building. We would ask for a bolder vision, with short term targets that drive us over and above the figures that are already
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