Housing a quality of life

Liz Drummond

Events, Communications & Marketing Manager

Construction Industry Council

For some time now we have known about the need for new dwellings and the lack of available homes. I certainly found this true when taking my first step on the property ladder a couple of years ago. With a deficit of starter homes we were among 40 other couples at a two hour open house. I am still surprised now that we actually managed to secure the property. Since moving to our new home I have noticed at least four new housing developments and several new blocks of high rise housing in the area. At the same time I have also noticed my once guaranteed seat on an already busy commuter train is a thing of the past.

I do not deny the fact that we need new homes for our expanding population, or in my case being priced out of London, but I just question if we are thinking about the bigger picture? Surely the infrastructure needs to be in place first for all these new homes? Is there enough capacity on the existing public transport network, enough appointments at a doctor’s surgery, flood defences, places at a school? It feels that we are so wrapped up in the hows, whys and whens of building these shiny new homes (which apparently generation rent cannot afford to purchase anyway) we aren’t ensuring they are serviceable?

Some developments are fully encompassing mixed use developments with certain necessary amenities included but where we are putting a pocket of homes here or a new estate there, there isn’t always room to add anything else.

Government targets are to build 200,000 new homes a year until 2020 although it has been suggested this should be more like 250,000 to accommodate us all. Recent figures suggest that although we are at an 8 year house building high, the Government has fallen short of its target with only 143,560 dwellings being built.

Yes we do need to focus on providing housing for a growing population and ensuring the quality of these new homes but when you have to travel miles for a school run or doctor’s appointment and then cram yourself onto a (delayed) train like a sardine for a 45 minute journey because it is your only option – what is the true cost to your quality of life once you are moved in?

Contributors: Liz Drummond is Events, Communications and Marketing Manager at the Construction Industry Council.