17 Feb 2015, 4:57 pm
Lewis said in a response to a written question by Labour MP Tessa Jowell that the policy changes are aimed at providing a clear incentive for brownfield regeneration, whilst supporting the government’s policies of protecting the green belt and increasing housing supply.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said in a consultation response in December that it will press ahead with a policy change that would require councils to deduct from affordable housing contributions "a financial credit equivalent to the existing gross floorspace of any vacant buildings brought back into any lawful use or demolished for re-development".
The policy has been met with concerns by local authorities and industry representatives that it will result in a reduction in the number of affordable homes built.
Lewis said in the response that the changes mirror reforms to the Community Infrastructure Levy regulations which extended an existing credit for vacant buildings being brought back into use from the levy. "This is a consistent, joined-up approach," said Lewis.
The minister said that putting stealth taxes on empty and redundant buildings being brought back into productive use would hinder regeneration and discourage new housing being created from conversions.
"If the state puts heavy taxes on new housing, prices will rise and supply will fall; conversely, our reforms will help lower housing costs and increase housing supply," he said.