Growth Points
Growth Points are communities that are pursuing large-scale, sustainable housing growth through a partnership between local organisations and central government.
Growth Points is an example of a ‘bottom-up’ initiative, with the government encouraging and supporting proposals from local partners. In 2006, 20 local authorities and partnerships were named as first round Growth Points, with a wide regional spread covering the east, south east and south west of England as well as the Midlands. The government announced a further 21 Growth Points in 2008, with areas in the north of England joining the initiative for the first time.
Process
Local authorities seeking Growth Point status had to submit a strategic proposal to government, setting out how they would deliver housing at a rate 20% higher than the targets set in regional planning guidance in 2003. The proposals had to commit to building at least 500 new homes a year.
The evaluation criteria for Growth Points proposals take into account factors including sustainability, environmental impact and transport networks. In each Growth Point, local organisations enter into a formal partnership with central government, based on four principles:
- early delivery of housing as part of the growth plans
- supporting local partners to achieve sustainable growth
- working with local partners to ensure that infrastructure and service provision keep pace with growth
- ensuring effective delivery.
Impact
If all of the proposed growth is achieved, the 50 Growth Points will deliver around 180,000 new dwellings by 2016, on top of previous targets for housing growth in these areas.
Last updated: 12 March 2010