Housing ‘Must Feature’ In Northern Powerhouse Plans

Building more housing must be a key part of any strategy to develop a so-called Northern Powerhouse in the UK, it has been stressed.

The Planner reported on a statement from AECOM, which highlighted the need for housing to take an equal place in plans to develop the north of England, alongside the infrastructure developments already announced.

As well as building new housing, existing homes should also be improved and any developments should aim to foster a sense of community, the organisation added.

Director and business unit leader for the North of England at AECOM Richard Green told the website that, while the housing crisis is most acute in the south-east of the country that doesn’t mean there isn’t a shortage elsewhere in the UK.

“Balanced UK economic growth can only be achieved if cities and regions in the North can successfully create well-connected communities close to transport links in areas where people want to live,” he asserted.

The government published its Northern Powerhouse Strategy in November last year, which highlighted four sectors as vital for delivering its vision. They were energy, pharmaceuticals, digital and manufacturing, all of which are historically strong in this part of the country.

While there was a range of funding unveiled to support the Northern Powerhouse, none of the money announced at this stage is set aside for residential property developments, it is all focused on areas such as infrastructure, business, education and connectivity.

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