Small towns could be ‘left behind’ in new construction plans, warns top CEO

The Treasury is set to announce a £1.8 billion investment toward home construction on unused land in England, the BBC reported this afternoon.

However Nigel Wilson, chief executive of Legal and General, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this afternoon that while the plans were in the “right direction of travel” they were not a suitable solution to the scale of the housing crisis.

He said there was a risk of people living in smaller cities and towns being “left behind” if demand continues to outstrip construction in those areas.

“You shouldn’t have to be rich to be green,” he explained. “It’s very difficult for poorer people to get on the green ladder.

“There’s a lot of active listening going on, but we don’t just want CGI housing – we want real housing built across the UK,” he went on.

In his first question time as Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary this afternoon, Michael Gove told MPs that he will to listen to local residents when it comes to planning reforms.

Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative MP for Gosport, said the minister should not “impose outdated housing numbers on us”.

Mr Gove replied: “I completely understand the unique issues faced by her constituency… not just in meeting the local housing needs but also respecting the environment and nature of the communities and the special, cherishable heritage.”