Travis Perkins has
called on London councils to step in to protect essential services threatened
by redevelopment.
Travis Perkins argue
that councils must resist the temptation to meet house building targets at any
cost, stressing the importance of supporting essential services and skills that
play a vital role in facilitating development and regeneration.
The builders’
merchant has pioneered an innovative mixed use development model which provides
new housing while also protecting essential services.
Travis Perkins have
called on local councils to protect essential services in five ways:
1.Protect builders’
merchants sites (or ideally all ‘sui generis’ class buildings) in Local Plans
2.Publish a
register of land for allocating mixed-use developments on industrial land
3.Build mixed-use
developments on public sector land
4.Provide
rental/housing support for employees in the essential services sector
5.Commit to
supporting local jobs and apprenticeships
The manifesto comes
ahead of the Mayor of London’s 2017 London Plan, which is expected to note the
importance of promoting mixed-use developments on industrial land as a way to
meet housing targets. Mayoral backing for mixed-used developments comes at an
important time as the building rate for affordable homes in the capital is 9%
below the level set in the 2016 London Plan.
Overall,
construction in the capital increased by 8% in 2016, driving an overall upwards
trend in construction employment. However employment at builders’ merchants
declined by 34% since 2015 - highlighting the loss of these essential services
at a time when the industry needs them most.
Commenting Martin
Meech, Group Property Director at Travis Perkins, said:
“We
have met with over twenty councils to discuss the opportunities for mixed-use
developments in their patch - often they leave excited by what can be achieved.
“I would urge councils to review our recommendations
and adopt our manifesto. I want set out a clear message: local authorities do
not face a binary choice between protecting essential services and meeting
housing targets. They can have both.”
