planning applications
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Land & New Homes
‘Supercharged’ AI-created nimbyism to jam planning
Experts warn that new artificial intelligence software could unleash a wave of professional-grade objections to planning applications.
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Features
Promises and projections
Boris is gone and the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has some very different housing policies. Andrea Kirkby discusses the likelihood of him succeeding where others have failed.
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Latest property news
New housing consents highest since 2008
There was a noteworthy increase in the number of planning permissions granted in the third quarter of last year, up from 53,409 consents in the corresponding quarter in 2014, according to data released in the Home Builder’s Federation (HBF) and Glenigan’s latest Housing Pipeline report. The statement suggests that 242,819 permissions were granted in the 12 months to October, the highest ‘moving annual’ total since early 2008. According to the data, 181,000 new homes were constructed in 2014/15, which broadly equates to the number of planning permissions recorded some two to three years ago. However, the industry remains concerned that the ‘lag’ of turning permissions into homes is becoming lengthier. “Whilst the overall increase in outline permissions is welcome, most of these still have to navigate the complexities of the planning system before they can be built,” said Stewart Baseley (left), Executive Chairman of the HBF. “It is imperative we speed up the time it takes for applications to be processed to the point that builders can actually build if we are to deliver further increases in housing supply.” The Government is holding a consultation on proposals to fast-track planning applications and introduce competition into the planning process, with a…
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Land & New Homes
Plans to fast-track planning for housebuilders
Planning applications for new residential property developments in this country could soon be fast-tracked for a premium fee as part of new radical Government proposals. Under the new plans designed to help housebuilders push schemes through more quickly, developers would have a choice of submitting a planning application to the local council, a competing council or a Government approved organisation that would process applications up until the decision point. Councils would also be able to offer the fast track planning application service – possibly through competition pilots or potentially through devolution deals. Communities Secretary Greg Clark (left) said, “Council planning departments play a vital role in getting local housebuilding off the ground, but for too long they have had no incentive to get things done quickly or better, resulting in drawn out applications and local frustration. “These proposals will be a boost for house builders looking to build much needed new homes for hard working families and first time buyers, and for local people looking to get a planning permission for home improvements through their local council quicker.” Given that planning is consistently listed as a major barrier to building more homes, the Government’s ambitious reform proposals have been warmly…
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Regulation & Law
A change of plan
It’s official, says John Bosworth, Partner and Head of Planning at Ashfords LLP – the change of use rules regarding commercial to residential are now permanent.
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Housing Market
Planning delays stifle new housing
A lack of resources within planning departments is one of the biggest reasons for the chronic housing shortages in this country, according to Linea Homes. The niche housebuilder reports that the vast majority of planning applications are being delayed by six months or more owing to what it claims is a shortage of staff and inefficient processes within local planning departments. It is estimated that around 250,000 new homes need to be built in the UK annually to help address the growing supply-demand imbalance in the market, but housebuilders will continue to fail to meet that target year-on-year owing to severe delays with planning applications that could be avoided, Gavin Sherman, Co-Owner of Linea Homes, has said. He commented, “We are not alone in experiencing severe delays with our planning applications that are complete with professional reports and are policy compliant. Local authorities are so under resourced that they simply can’t acknowledge and administer the number of applications they are receiving. Some officers only work two days a week, which makes it impossible for them to deal with the workload they are given.” A recent report compiled by the British Property Federation and GL Hearn, a property consultancy, supported Sherman’s…
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