ResPublica submits evidence to the Lyons Housing Review

27^th March 2014

ResPublica recently submitted evidence to the independent housing review, carried out by Sir Michael Lyons as part of the Labour Party's Policy Review

ResPublica recently submitted evidence to the independent review, carried out by Sir Michael Lyons as part of the Labour Party’s Policy Review. The Commission will draw up a road map that will set out the changes to housing and planning policy required to deliver the new homes and communities post-2015.

In our submission we made the case for the introduction of a tax on the value of land and the further promotion of community-led planning. We believe that a tax on the value of land will unlock the land necessary to build the homes our country needs. This additional tax, integrated into current property taxes, would take the form of an annual tax on the rental value of a site’s optimal permitted use and could release enough surplus and vacant land from the public sector alone to solve the housing crisis. With regards to planning, we believe that taking a more community-led approach would foster genuine and meaningful partnerships between all those that have a stake in the community. We also recommended the Commission investigates the introduction of a ‘Community Infrastructure Bond’ to encourage investment in infrastructure and housing developments.

Press enquiries to press@respublica.org.uk.

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