The ESRC research project Tensions and Prospects examines the history and prospects for sustainable housing growth in the UK, using contemporary development within Northamptonshire/Milton Keynes as the focus of a detailed case study.
The study by The Open University and the University of Northampton explores the impact of the recession and change of Government on the planned ambitions for housing growth. It focuses on the dilemmas of the definition and delivery of ‘sustainability’ in new housing development across in the study area and the reasons for quite varied community responses to the levels of planned growth that have been intended to take place.
Finally the project looks at addressing the fundamental challenges that are now facing future policy and practical developments.
A central aspect of the research is that will not only look backwards to the pre-recession period and the property crash, but will follow the story in 'real time', i.e. as it happens over the two years of its life.
