‘Labour’s readiness to change tack on Green Belt is GOOD’
The Prime and London property market is not scared of Sir Keir Starmer and Sirius boss William Lloyd-Hayward wants more green homes.
A leading finance figure has urged Keir Starmer to encourage more eco-friendly homes and to tackle ‘nimbyism’ in Green Belt areas.
Speaking at a private event hosted by lender Century Capital, William Lloyd-Hayward (main picture), Managing Director of Sirius Finance, set out his own wishes given the increasingly likelihood of a Labour government.
GREEN BELT
“Starmer’s pro-stance on Green Belt development is an important one,” he said. “We desperately need to kick back against the nimbyism that has been allowed to strangle development for so long.”
And he raged: “If just 1% of existing Green Belt land is built on each year, it’s enough to deliver 100,000 homes.”
When asked what will happen to interest rates in 2024, Luke Navin, Head of Lending at Century Capital, replied: “It’s impossible for them to go anywhere but down.”
But he was quick to add: “Although I think it will be a slow decline and that our government will, as it so often does, take its lead from the US.”
KEY ISSUES
The discussion, Chaired by TV pundit Russell Quirk at The Arts Club in Mayfair, featured four key issues: The likely consequences of a Labour government; The outlook for interest rates; Current market activity and 2024 house prices.
The lively debate was attended by a mix of high-profile estate agents, mortgage brokers and property lenders.
And despite political uncertainty most also thought property transactions and prices will continue on their current upward trajectory.
Paul Munford, Chief Executive and Founder of Century Capital, says: “It was delightful to see so many industry colleagues in the same room and I’m proud to have brought them all together.
“It’s been a true meeting of minds and the insights that we’ve all been privy to today are going to be invaluable as we head deeper into 2024 and beyond.”
