Lower Saxony's state government is poised to shake up construction with a slew of changes, aiming to simplify building processes and promote affordability. According to the Ministry of Construction, these much-needed adjustments will be outlined at a press conference in Hanover later this week.
Struggling under the weight of surging home prices, interest rates, a shortage of skilled workers, and supply challenges, the state government seeks to alleviate the housing market's pressure by making building more straightforward, swift, and wallet-friendly.
With the demand for housing running high in Lower Saxony, the need for adequate housing solutions is paramount. The latest housing market report revealed that by 2040, nearly 237,000 additional homes will be required in the region. To spur private investment and inspire company-backed housing creation, Construction Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) emphasized the importance of establishing incentives.
A key change in the proposed amendment to the building regulations is a simplification of conversion measures. For instance, owners will find it easier to extend their attics or add additional floors to residential buildings, with fewer regulations and hoops to jump through. This might mean bypassing the need for installing elevators when extending homes by up to two stories.
In terms of parking space requirements, residential buildings will no longer be obligated to provide parking spaces. However, cyclists will benefit from a new obligation to equip residential properties with bicycle parking facilities.
The proposed changes also include revisions to boundary distances for new constructions and improvements to the regulations for small houses, or 'mobile tiny houses,' allowing easier relocation between locations.
As state-level initiatives to ease construction procedures begin to unfold, it's essential to consider the broader context, which may influence these policies. However, specific details of Lower Saxony's state government's plans to simplify building practices and promote affordability remain sparse in the provided sources.
