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Second staircase technical guidance published
The government has published long-awaited technical guidance on its second staircase rule after months of uncertainty. The Mayor of London said last month work on 38,000 homes has been halted due to uncertainty caused by the lack of technical guidance. Research commissioned by the government found that when there is a second staircase in a high rise block, the evacuation time is halved. Published on Good Friday, changes to Approved Document B – the government’s building guidance covering fire safety – make clear that a second staircase is required in tall blocks of flats over 18 [more…]
Gove criticises Khan for low housing delivery
The DLUHC SoS, Michael Gove MP, has written to the London Mayor with criticisms of failure to build sufficient new homes on brownfield, industrial and Opportunity Area land.
Sadiq Khan is ordered to review London Plan policies and to provide early findings by the end of June and full proposals by the end of September 2024.
Gove’s letter also mentions a new ‘Super Squad’ of expert planners to work with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Newham to accelerate developments.
Biodiversity Net Gain now mandatory
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.
More permitted development for building conversion to residential
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 9th 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 to alter or extend their homes, more consideration of building upwards, [more…]
New planning policies and proposals by DLUHC
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 26th March 2024. Read (more…) for press articles expressing doubt and concern about the latter.
The Property Owning Democracy
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 Street Vote Consultation
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.
Return of Help To Buy?
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.
Government Publishes NPPF
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.
Chief Planners’ newsletter November 2023
The Chief Planner has issued her latest DLUHC newsletter to local authorities as here.
It covers Biodiversity Net Gain implementation.
Speeding up the Delivery of Major Infrastructure
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.