It has published is Senedd Electioin manifesto
(Image: Getty)
The next Welsh Government needs to utilise the built and natural environment to drive economic growth and business confidence, says the RICS in its Senedd election manifesto. Ahead of May’s election the membership body for chartered surveyors said the built environment in Wales contributes more than £17.2bn in economic activity and supports thousands of jobs.
Its manifesto calls for the administration in Cardiff Bay to develop a housing delivery strategy through cross-tenure targets and development ambitions and to ensure a truly functional planning system by embedding specialist skills in areas such as developer contributions and biodiversity net gain. It also says that it must protect residential leaseholders with modern, UK-aligned standards to replace the outdated, historic version currently in use in Wales.
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The manifesto highlights a need for investment in large-scale, high-standard housing retrofit programmes, while fast-track grid and energy infrastructure upgrades should also be a priority. It points out that grid capacity constraints are becoming a major barrier, not only to housing delivery but also to any ambition for Wales to become a global leader in green energy.
The manifesto also highlights a need to increase investment and resource in built and natural environment education, including an expansion of apprenticeships and upskilling to support the energy transition.
Matt Haynes RICS, chair of RICS Wales, said: “This manifesto sets out practical, evidence-led priorities for Wales’ built and natural environment at a time when confidence and capacity are under real pressure.
“It focuses on what will make the greatest difference in the years ahead, improving housing delivery, supporting skills and apprenticeships, modernising standards and enabling sustainable investment.
RICS Wales looks forward to working constructively with stakeholders across the sector to help turn these ambitions into tangible outcomes for communities across Wales.”
Sam Rees, senior public affairs manager at RICS said: “Our data shows that confidence across Wales’ built environment has become increasingly fragile. Construction activity has lost momentum; commercial, occupier and investor demand has softened; and skills shortages continue to constrain growth. In the residential sector – despite investment in social housing providing a welcome boost to the construction sector – affordability remains a significant barrier for renters and buyers.
“The next Welsh government can however make an extremely positive impact by investing in housing, infrastructure and skills and by leveraging the potential of the built environment can stimulate a new era of economic growth.”
