Funds for LPAs
In the financial year 2025-26 the Government has agreed to provide Councils, as listed here, with support to manage financial pressures via its ‘Exceptional Financial Support (EFS)’ process. The cross-party group London Councils describes EFS as a “misnomer”, as increasing numbers of boroughs are relying on the emergency borrowing it facilitates and are burdened with further debts and servicing costs.
Home accessibility
Inclusion London and many other organisations wrote to the Government to seek action on the chronic shortage of accessible and affordable homes. They claim accessible homes will increase people’s choice and control, reduce dependency on care, lessen the risk of being hospitalised and overstaying beyond discharge dates. The NHS offers advice for housing options for older people.
Inflation Rates
The CPI has just been published, and the usual nonsense about “inflation going up” has followed. In twelve months the index has risen from 131.5 to 135.4, i.e. 3% up from 2.5% last month.
However, the index in December 2023 was 132.2 and the 2.5% took it to 135.6 last month. If this increase of 3.4 points were evenly spread over the year, that would be 0.28 per month and if we add that to the December 2023 figure we get 132.48. The increase from there to the current [more…]
Grey Belt clarification
Following Peers’ inquiry into Labour’s ‘Grey Belt’ proposals, Lord Moylan wrote to Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP with sixteen questions. He commented “Our assessment is that the grey belt policy has been implemented in a somewhat rushed and incoherent manner. It is unlikely to have any significant or lasting impact on . . . achieving your target of 1.5 million new homes.” He pointed to a lack of a “sustainable location” definition.
Land use
The Government is consulting until 25th April 2025 for preparation of a Land Use Framework creating a toolkit to support decision making, “with England now one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.”
Funding for Local Plan delivery
The Government has announced new funding for preparation of Local Plans. Eligible local authorities are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 28 February 2025 to request a share of this funding. The eligibility criteria are set out here.
Home energy ratings
There is a consultation to 26Feb2025 on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime to provide a system which provides homeowners and tenants with accurate information about the energy performance of their homes to allow them to make informed investment and purchase decisions. Also, to reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty, improving decency and the Warm Homes Plan.
Chief Planner’s newsletter Feb2025
Joanna Averley, the DHCLG Chief Planner, issued a newsletter on 11th February 2025. It covers a survey of local authority capacity and capability, corrections to the NPPF, the Land Use Framework consultation, fast-food outlets, compulsory purchase process and land compensation consultation, the duty to consult on felling of street trees and noise from new development.
Reforms to planning
The Government has announced here plans to speed up housing delivery and approval of infrastructure projects. Related DHCLG working papers were issued in December 2024. A Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be published “in the Spring”.
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