Our Housing Group came together for the final Action Group meeting of 2025, bringing members from across the Housing sector to discuss development, planning reform and the significant changes coming through devolution next year.
We were pleased to welcome Paul Holmes MP, Shadow Minister for Local Government, Social Housing, Homelessness and Communities, who provided a detailed update on housing policy and the current challenges shaping delivery. He highlighted that “devolution is a huge opportunity for our region” and noted that “having a mayor is a very good thing to unlock some of the economic benefits, some of the economic growth”. He emphasised that while there is political ambition to deliver more housing, the operating environment – including planning capacity, regulation and local government reorganisation – continues to create barriers that need attention.
Laura Wyatt and Hannah Anderson-Jones from Cavendish Consulting then led a comprehensive briefing on the evolving development landscape. They emphasised the scale of transition over the next two years, including mayoral elections, Local Government Reorganisation and new local plan reforms – all set to reshape the way housing and infrastructure decisions.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Housing Group will continue to support the sector through this period of change – focusing on planning certainty, skills for growth, and championing the delivery of homes that communities need, including key worker housing.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to all Action Groups throughout 2025. We look forward to working with you again in the new year.
The next meeting will be on 1st April 2026, 10:00-11:00, on Teams
