Hounslow Council's Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration & Development wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner MP, to reaffirm our commitment to delivering housing.
Published: Monday, 19th August 2024
Dear Deputy Prime Minister,
Congratulations on your victory at the General Election, and your appointment to the vital roles you hold. We are delighted to see housing delivery led by a Deputy Prime Minister with your commitment to fixing the housing crisis.
Hounslow stands ready to work with the government in the delivery of both genuinely affordable housing and the infrastructure needed for a generational boost to economic and social growth in West London.
We are firmly committed to housing affordability, security, and quality, aligning with Labour's pledge to deliver economic resilience, and value your ambition to build 1.5 million homes nationwide. Hounslow’s experience, confidence, track record of certainty and ready opportunities mean we are prepared to make a significant contribution to this goal.
While we acknowledge the multifaceted challenges of housing delivery - which demand collaboration between central and local governments, and a concerted effort to build confidence and capacity across both public and private sectors - Hounslow is well-positioned to lead by example.
Strategically positioned as London’s “Gateway to the World,” given our proximity to Europe’s largest port by value, Heathrow Airport - Hounslow delivered over 5,000 homes from 2019 to 2023. We’re committed to more. Our Regeneration Vision and advanced Hounslow Local Plan aim to deliver 28,800 new homes and thousands of jobs by 2041.
Under Opportunity Hounslow, the town-centre masterplans for Brentford and Hounslow are set to deliver 5,000 new homes and 8,000 jobs. The Feltham town centre masterplan promises over 3,000 homes and 5,000 jobs. We have plans for at least a further 7,500 homes in the Great West Corridor Opportunity Area and 6,500 homes within the Heathrow Opportunity Area.
We very much welcome your focus on mandatory housing targets and the need for thorough planning reforms. We support your proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the planning system. These reforms, which affirm that areas like Hounslow must meet housing requirements set out in the London Plan, align with our commitment to providing 1,000 high-quality homes for Council rent by 2026.
The review of Green Belt land, and an increased emphasis on affordable housing supports our current planning and growth strategies and will help us continue ambitious plans for sustainable development, job creation, and enhanced green spaces.
Hounslow is a powerhouse by traditional measures, with the Borough economy, generating nearly £15 billion in GVA annually, surpassing major cities like Belfast, Liverpool, and Sheffield. Yet, wealth distribution and life outcomes need to align better with our economic performance. Our ‘Business Case for Growth’ seeks to ensure that growth benefits all, driven by key sectors like creative industries and logistics, bolstered by proximity to Heathrow Airport.
We are delighted to invite you to visit us in Hounslow, to meet us to discuss how we can show the way forward and contribute to your housing targets and boost the capital and UK economy.
I am also pleased to extend an invitation to our ‘Opportunity Hounslow Conference’ on 19th September 2024, where we will present our investment opportunities. I look forward to your reply with your availability and to welcoming you to Hounslow.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Tom Bruce,
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development.
CC. Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, The Leader of the Council.
