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”.
Chief Planner’s newsletter to LPAs December 2024
Joanna Averley, the DHCLG Chief Planner, issued another newsletter on 19th December 2024 to local authorities requiring them to update their brownfield land register for 2024 by 31st December.
It seeks their views on a Development and Nature Recovery Working Paper, proposing developers pay into a ‘Nature Restoration Fund’. Also LPAs are asked to complete an online survey on a Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework. There is an explanation of the Government’s approach by the lawyer Nicola Gooch here.
An updated Criteria Document for improving planning performance for speed [more…]
Government Plan for Change
The Labour Government confirmed in July 2024 its five missions from its manifesto and its first six steps for change. A December 2024 Plan for Change sets “clear, measurable milestones” for each of the missions and the Prime Minister gave a speech to explain it. One milestone is building 1.5 million homes in England and fast-tracking planning decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects.
To support its aims, the Government has published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to drive local planning [more…]
£3 billion housebuilding scheme
Three billion pounds in guarantees will be made available by Government to help builders apply for more accessible loans from banks and lenders. It is part of a new package confirmed by the Housing Minister and covers support to SME housebuilders for them to deliver over 20,000 new homes including specialised housing for older people.
Housing for an ageing population
The Government has published a report with recommendations on this subject, also described as “Later Living Homes (LLH)”.
Chief Planner’s newsletter to LPAs November 2024
Joanna Averley, the DHCLG Chief Planner, has issued another newsletter to local authorities. It covers new regulations arising from the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 relating to Compulsory Purchase that allow ‘hope value’ to be removed from the assessment of compulsory purchase compensation. It announces interim planning guidance on how to consider the targets of the Environment Act 2021 for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in planning decisions. Also, an interactive tool Local Authority Climate Service (LACS) is introduced to provide insights into the weather and [more…]
Compulsory purchase guidance
On 3 October 2024 the Government introduced guidance and a factsheet as here for the removal of ‘hope value’ from the assessment of compensation when an LPA carries out compulsory purchase.
Societies could discuss with their Council if this guidance will help with land assembly for development.
Solving the Housing Affordability Crisis
The government-commissioned report “The demand for housing as an investment: Drivers, outcomes and policy interventions to enhance housing affordability in the UK” written by Professor Josh Ryan-Collins of UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP), calls for major reforms to the UK’s housing market to curb speculative investment demand and make homes more affordable.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
More social housing
Planning Fees consultation response
The Queen Elizabeth II Garden
Most Popular This Week
-
Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 11th June | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
-
London Forum open meeting - Enforcement
📅 Mon 29th June | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
Speakers and agenda to be confirmed
Please save the date !