A call has been issued for local residents, builders, and property owners across Sefton to make their voices heard in a vital national online consultation before tomorrow's deadline. The House of Lords Built Environment Committee is currently running its 'New Towns: Bricks and Mortar' inquiry, focusing on the practical challenges facing construction and development, including material supply chains, labour shortages, and utility connections. The deadline to submit feedback is 11:50pm on Monday, 13 July 2026.
Community Campaigner Urges Participation
As a community campaigner and former councillor for Southport, I want to encourage as many local stakeholders as possible to take part. This is our chance to shape future planning laws, especially when it comes to the supply of building materials and specialist trade skills. Personally, I want to see more grassroots feedback that supports the restoration and rebuilding of carbon-rich older properties, such as Crosby Park House. We need proper support packages for property owners to make restoration a realistic option and deter demolition.
Key Issues to Address
I believe we must use these national platforms to overcome long-standing issues like the shortage of specialist heritage skills. We also need to look at financial incentives, such as reforming VAT on older building renovations, for economic and environmental reasons. This consultation is of paramount importance to the national situation facing the UK and indeed Ireland, and I am therefore encouraging as many people as possible to provide submissions, especially contractors, property owners, and traders, as there is a direct correlation between the economy, environment, and ecosystem.
Pathway to Better Construction
By providing a platform for direct dialogue between the key players—past, present, and future—this will serve as a major pathway forward towards enabling new construction that is in everyone's best interests. In providing my own grassroots knowledge obtained over the last 12 years, I am hopeful that this will begin to crystallise the position of Central Government that we can and should be building beautifully yet practically, as was the mission objective set out in the original Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission of 2020. Just one contribution from a key member of society or a pivotal organisation could tip the balance in how planning is assessed in the future. To all those people who value historic buildings and would like to see them actually make a return to our everyday lives, please make your submission now.
How to Participate
The consultation can be completed online on the UK Parliament website. The deadline is 11:50pm on Monday, 13 July 2026.
