This week the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) published amendments to permitted development (PD) rights, primarily designed to deliver new housing. The new legislation can be viewed here
The amendments are largely positive, but some of the legislative tinkering may add confusion to the already complex system.
It’s time to roundup the hottest topics in the wonderful world of residential development. Just what has caused the most ruckus in recent government policy releases I hear you say? Well allow me to review.
In January 2016 an amendment suggested at the third reading of the Housing and Planning Bill, by planning minister Brandon Lewis, would allow planning applications to be processed by ‘alternative providers’ if it receives Royal Ascent. These alternative providers would be assessed and pre-qualified by the government or local authority (LA), meeting certain rigorous criterion, to be capable of setting up shop as third party planning application processors. The notion behind such an idea is to alleviate the administrative pressure currently experienced by LA planners, therefore freeing up resources for determining planning applications faster within stifled public sector planning departments.
We are not even a quarter through 2016, but it is clear that the NHS has been a hot topic of conversation as well as making the headlines. While most of this relates to shortages, cuts and other financial matters, a news bulletin I heard on my drive to work this morning prompted me to do a little research when I arrived at the office. “NHS England is working with ten housing developments to shape the health of communities, and to rethink how health and care services can be delivered”.
Today (Tuesday 1st March) after completing a stringent selection process, the NHS announced ten demonstrator sites they will be working with, supported by Public Health England (PHE). This marks the first time that the NHS has actively entered the ‘urban planning’ arena. The ten Healthy New Town demonstrator sites are:
In February this year, we reported on a number of major planning applications that had been refused and dismissed at appeal amidst perceived concerns that the proposed developments would conflict with emerging Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs).
In this blog, new Graduate Planner Laura Hayes has revisited the case to see if the emerging NDP has had lasting weight in the long term considering a development decision.
Following on from our July blog based on the Summer Budget, the yellow pine and brass handled Budget Box (i.e. the red briefcase) was rolled out yet again for yesterday’s Spending Review and Autumn Statement, both of which were set out to Parliament. Here, NJL provides an update on key points which affect planning, construction and other associated industries.
In a session replete with drama and haranguing over U-turns, there were several highlights of particular importance to us in the planning and development world. So in this guide, we'll summarise some of the key points and offer our thoughts on what the government's plans might mean for us in these sectors in the coming years.
As most people in the planning, property and associated industries will know, MIPIM UK is the UK’s largest exhibition and conference for property professionals and took place last week (21-23 October). This blog provides an insight into the event which had 4,500 participants, 600 investors present, representation from 35 cities, and 60+ conferences and networking events, all in a 2,000 sq.m exhibition area, Olympia in London.
The second year of MIPIM UK kicked off with a keynote speech by Lord Maude of Horsham, Minister of State for Trade and Investment. He set the scene for the conference stating the UK has the fastest growing economy in the west and more people working than ever before. With £1 trillion FDI last year and £100 billion of the economy from construction, it is the time for investment in the UK property industry.
GMSF 2019: The right direction for Manchester?
29th January 2019
Approval at Bury Planning Committee for Land at Chamberhall
23rd January 2019
2019: What’s that coming over the hill?
17th January 2019
Further Successes at Bridgwater Retail Park
20th December 2018