Mind the (Viability) Gap

Key Recommendations

• grant the new construction regulator statutory powers to cut through twelve fragmented regulatory bodies and force coordination on the projects that matter most. Backed by Olympic Delivery Authority-style bodies for major housing schemes, with a clear mandate, real capital, and accountability on delivery 
• a national library of pre-approved, regulation-compliant housing designs, informed by what communities actually want. Turning consultation from a blocker into a builder of consent
• to unlock more viable social housing sites, government must ensure they fulfil their commitment to giving councils stronger, simpler compulsory purchase powers to acquire stalled or underused land at realistic, closer-to-existing-use values, backed by safeguards that put social value, fairness and timely delivery at the centre
• water and sewage infrastructure must be planned and funded alongside new homes by law, ending a situation where developers are ready to build but regulators estimate water constraints alone are costing the UK up to £25bn in undelivered housing.