Prime minister needs to match words with action

Take, for example, transforming offices into apartments. Offices are not the best starting point to produce new homes, but we should rise to the challenge as the City of London and developer HUB have done. The former plans to use the Square Mile to create 1,500 new homes by 2030, while the latter paid £30m for an office block close to the Barbican that will be transformed into low-carbon flats.

Empty properties are another key area. The UK has an estimated 230,000 homeless people, yet there are more than 250,000 empty properties across the country. Revamping old homes for new housing is another way to address the shortage – but for projects to be encouraged, they need to be supported by clear policies and planning processes.

Permitted development rights were supposed to speed up the construction of new homes. Yet a recent government report suggests this can lead to “worse-quality” homes and also rising office rents. Clearly these need to be rethought with the wider community in mind.

Balancing housing needs with conservation efforts is obviously a significant challenge. As a recent report from a leading architect firm revealed, “much green-belt land” isn’t actually green – only 59% of London’s green belt is agricultural land. There are many examples of former industrial and unsightly sites that have a negative impact. If these were developed respectfully their impact would be positive and greener than what exists now.

Lastly, partnerships are critical in ensuring favourable outcomes for developers, homeowners and government alike. Initiatives such as Help to Buy faced criticisms, but they are crucial in giving first-time homebuyers control and inspiring developers into action.

If the million new homes pledged by the prime minister are ever to be feasible, then the scale of his actions to solve the housing crisis needs to match his ambition.

Ravi Pankhania, managing director, Nacropolis Group