One of the country’s largest social landlords has unveiled a 50,000-home building plan that will create thousands of construction jobs and boost the trades.

L&Q launches a landmark five-year drive which backs the housing association’s charitable objectives and commits to the delivery of 50,000 new homes.

L&Q 2020 sets out how L&Q will tackle the housing crisis head on by increasing output to 5,000 new homes a year and trebling its pipeline to 50,000 over the next decade.

This is the most ambitious development programme ever undertaken by a housing association.

The plan reaffirms L&Q social mission of creating places where people want to live, and outlines a vision that everyone should have a safe, warm, quality and affordable home.

L&Q Group Chief Executive David Montague said: “The chronic lack of quality, affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing Britain today. For far too long, supply has fallen woefully short of demand and so we are making a step change in our development programme.

“L&Q has always had the desire to create more homes, and now our financial strength gives us the capability to embark on the largest house-building programme in housing association history.

“Crucially, L&Q 2020 spells out how this growth will be achieved alongside an excellent customer experience. It’s not a case of one or the other – growth and service delivery go hand in hand.”

Mr Montague added: “This bold plan will stretch us, but we have achieved extraordinary things before and we are determined to do so again. In 50 years’ time we will still recognise ourselves as a charitable housing association, and I hope we will be well on the way to achieving our vision that everyone should have a safe, warm, quality and affordable home.”