News

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regulations have been brought into effect. BNG is an approach to development that makes sure that habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development. London Forum’s members could see how their local Council will apply the rules.

Details are in the publications of  the Government and of Natural England.

The Government consulted in July 2023 on relaxing Permitted Development Rights (PDR) restrictions for conversion in Class MA of commercial, business and service uses to residential. There is a House of Commons briefing paper on PDR and Change of Use. The Government’s further consultation on more PDR is here and runs until 9^th April 2024. It is proposed to remove size limits on buildings to be converted and no longer to consider how long they have been empty. The consultation covers also increased flexibility for householders [more…]

The Government has issued many planning proposals since December 2023. They include letters to LPA planning officers, as here. Michael Gove MP gave a speech on his intentions, issued a revised NPPF, published his Long Term Plan for Housing and issued instructions to LPAs to focus on brownfield land development. A consultation on the latter runs until 26^th March 2024. Read (more…) for press articles expressing doubt and concern about the [more…]

The Property Owning Democracy

Policy Exchange published their report on The Property Owning Democracy on December 4, 2023.

They comment that “homeownership is virtually impossible for anyone who does not inherit a considerable amount of wealth, or is earning many times the median wage”. Housing is, they say, “rapidly becoming the preserve of the richest in society”.

A copy can be downloaded here.

Government Consultation on Street Votes

The Government announced a street vote consultation running to 2nd February 2024 on the detailed operation of street vote development orders.  These will inform the content of regulations using new powers in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.

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The Return of Help To Buy?

On December 26 2023, Andrew Lainton drew attention to a report from The Times about Conservative Government plans for helping young people to buy their own home.

It will be interesting to see how it affects Government financial support to London for those on low incomes who may be unlikely to be able to purchase a home.

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Government Publishes the National Planning Policy Framework (and more!)

The DLUHC has at last published the revised National Planning Policy Framework.

There is a searchable version here with supportive planning guidance here.

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The Chief Planner has issued her latest DLUHC newsletter to local authorities as here.

It covers Biodiversity Net Gain implementation.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities published a paper containing its views around speeding up the delivery of major infrastructure on November 22, 2023.

The slides for the above meeting are now available here.

The LPGs discussed in the meeting are in Section 3 at this link.