Council Passes Green Motion to Maximise Housing Supply from Existing Buildings 

At a full council meeting on 9th January, Bristol City Council passed Green motion to do more to maximise the supply of housing from existing buildings and council land. The motion, amended by Labour, passed with support from all major parties in the chamber.

Cllr Tony Dyer, who put forward the motion, said; “I am pleased that this motion to maximise opportunities to provide homes has received cross party support. ”

“Bristol is a tightly constrained city, with residents rightly concerned about both the growing affordable housing crisis and the threat to the city’s remaining natural environment. This motion demonstrates that there are measures that we can take without one having to affect the other.”

“And it could not come sooner. Since 2021, the number of empty homes increased by almost 25%, and there are over 3000 homeless people in Bristol at any given time. By giving the already existing Empty Homes team on the council more power and by setting up a brand new ‘Redundant Buildings Task Force’, the council can now take further steps to bring both of these figures down.’

“However, the council alone cannot solve Bristol’s housing crisis. While I’m not holding my breath that Westminster will be offering much support, we need to work collaboratively to make sure that those who are part of the problem can become part of the solution.”

Cllr Carla Denyer, Co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, who seconded the motion, said; “ Across the country, Greens are proposing diverse measures like this to address the housing crisis. For decades, national and local governments have been too keen to allow private property developers to build unaffordable housing that doesn’t actually meet local need, ignores the empty buildings already available, and lines their pockets in the process. 

“Motions like this show how the climate, ecological and social issues like housing are interlinked. Making sure we make the best use of existing buildings saves huge amounts of carbon, reduces the pressure to expand into green spaces, helps provide space for the affordable housing we desperately need. 

“I am delighted this motion was passed today, and look forward to working with Greens across the country to create policies that work in the best interests of people and the planet.”