The last quarter of 2018 saw a major shift in national housing policy with the publication of the Letwin Review's final report, Homes England's five-year strategy and the lifting of the borrowing cap designed to encourage councils to build homes. Under recent Governments the focus has been on removing barriers to entry to drive up delivery, through initiatives like Help to Buy. Now, there is tacit recognition that a new framework is needed to build more homes, faster.

Of particular note for authorities like ours is the move signalled by these major announcements towards greater emphasis on the public sector unlocking sites and driving development.