Under the policy, building regulations will remain the bedrock of the system which Ministers believe are sufficient to deliver high quality homes.聽 A group of industry leaders, including NHBC鈥檚 Chief Executive, Imtiaz Farookhi, will be set up to review all standards that apply to the house-building industry.聽
The Minister called for housebuilders to compile their 鈥淐hristmas Wish List鈥� of regulatory red tape that they would like to see come to an end during a consultation process that will last until the end of December.聽
Speaking at the event in Covent Garden鈥檚 Royal Opera House, Housing Minister Grant Shapps MP said: "We are on the side of families who want more good quality homes available 鈥� that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e scrapping expensive new standards for homes built with Government cash and on public land. There鈥檚 no good reason why homes built on public land should be built any differently to those of high quality on private land. So I鈥檓 getting rid of this unnecessary requirement, and I鈥檒l be working hard to make sure that, in the long run, the standards that apply to private and public housing are exactly the same.
鈥淚鈥檓 also calling time on the cocktails of local building standards that developers have to meet, some of which are directly contradictory.聽 House builders are the experts at building homes, so I鈥檓 inviting them to be in charge of developing a new framework for local building standards 鈥� one which enables communities to get the high quality homes they demand, but without causing unnecessary costs and delays for developers.鈥�
NHBC鈥檚 Chief Executive Imtiaz Farookhi said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that the Minister has announced details of this critical policy area at our annual lunch today and welcome the invitation to play a central role in developing the policy process going forward.聽 We look forward to making a positive contribution, working with government and others, to deliver a successful policy for the industry and new home owners.鈥�
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