Interim findings released for consultation - plus find out about this month’s conference where you can hear high level debates and put forward your views

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The Building the Future Commission will call for the reinstatement of a strategic planning tier as part of its interim findings revealed today.

The commission, Building’s initiative to improve the built environment, has today revealed key findings from two chapters to be published in full at the Building the Future Commission conference in London on 27 September.

The commission’s planning report will say: “Without a strategic planning tier, abolished in 2011, unmet housing need is not in these situations being picked up by neighbouring authorities, as there is no effective mechanism by which to arbitrate where homes should go.”

The report says that in the last few years the system for allocating housing numbers at a local authority level has slowly collapsed in the face of local opposition, as councils in the highest-demand and most constrained areas have found it easier to stop bringing forward plans.

It says the central algorithm determining housing need at a local level has lost credibility, particularly in areas where constraints on development such as green belt make it all but impossible to deliver the numbers. 

The report, which will be unveiled in full at the conference later this month, will also call for a shake-up of the local plan system and more resources for planning departments in town halls.

Today the commission also reveals the broad outline of its findings across the project’s eight work streams.  The Building the Future Commission is calling on the next government to commit to a long-term strategic plan to increase construction’s productivity, boost economic growth and improve the quality of the UK’s built environment.

>> Click here to read all of today’s interim findings.

 Join us at the Building the Future Commission Conference

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>> Click here to book your place at the conference and feed in to our consultation process

The Building the Future Commission Conference is set to take place in Westminster on 27 September. You can join us to hear from some of the leading figures across the construction industry and find out more about the work of the commission.

The day will include panel debates on net zero, digital transformation and building safety as well as talks from other high-profile speakers on future trends and ideas that could transform the sector.

Keynote speakers include Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, Katy Dowding, president & CEO, Skanska UK, and Martha Tsigkari, head of the applied R+D group, Foster + Partners.

There will also be the chance to feed in your ideas to the commission and to network with other industry professionals keen to share knowledge. 

You can follow our progress using #BuildingTheFuture on social media.

>> Buy your ticket here

>> See the full agenda