We're ready to help get housing back up

摘要

LGA environment and housing board The MI reported last week on the Environmental Audit Committee's report into Government's housing standards review (The MJ, 21 Nov, 'Sustainable code fears for Pickles').This report rightly recognised the role of councils in driving up the quality of housing and the need for local areas to have a say on standards and we share its concerns that current government proposals put this at risk.Housing standards have become unnecessarily complex and confusing, partly as a result of additional rules promoted by the industry over the years. The long overdue simplification of these rules could be achieved through a national framework but only if the range of standards support the development of quality housing and local needs without undermining or delaying local plans.