‘Homes, not houses’ – LI responds to housing white paper

The LI argues that a landscape-led approach to new housing development is in the public interest.

The Landscape Institute (LI) believes that a landscape-led approach to new housing development is in the public interest, said LI president Merrick Denton-Thompson.

“Landscape professionals work across our communities to develop a common vision for places that makes the best use of the land,” Mr Denton-Thompson said. “They use landscape as critical infrastructure to provide character and beauty, as well as multifunctionality.

“Our profession can provide solutions to a wide range of issues such as economic development, climate resilience, flooding, health and well-being, and air and noise pollution.”

Mr Denton-Thompson urged the government to acknowledge that quality of life is as important as providing a roof over people’s heads.

“The LI accepts the urgent need for building more houses more quickly, but it must be done in a way that secures great places to live. We want to see homes, not just houses, in places that are safe and resilient to climate change; places where children can play and make friends for life; places where older people can lead fulfilling lives; places that are teeming with wildlife; places that support the health and well-being of everyone.”

The comments come as part of the LI’s response to February’s housing white paper. Kate Bailey, Chair of the LI Policy and Communications Committee, said: “The response reflects the wide range of views, experience and case studies provided by our expert members and I want to thank them all for their contributions.”

The LI issued a call for members’ comments on the white paper in April. Its response concentrates on six points:

• the present state of the housing market
• the importance of landscape
• green belt policy
• landscape assessments
• funding landscape infrastructure
• responses to specific consultation questions

The LI has also offered to meet with planning policy officials to discuss the how the profession can assist deliver landscape as infrastructure linked directly to creation of new homes.

 

Titled fixing our broken housing market, the white paper included a consultation on changes to planning policy and legislation. The consultation ran from 7 February until 2 May. The full consultation response from the LI can be viewed here.