planning
-
Housing Market
People need homes and we need to address the problem once and for all
Glentree International boss Trevor Abrahmsohn says that whilst everyone likes the cosy, utopian, fully upholstered idea of 'homes for everyone', a burgeoning population cannot live in three-bedroomed semis in the sky.
Read More » -
Latest property news
Agent defends controversial support for housing development
Leading Swindon agent Richard James dismisses criticism that his staff and mortgage brokers wrote to planners in support of 350-home development.
Read More » -
Features
Prize-winning designs
Stirling Prize award proves good housing design is possible everywhere, says Adam Hesse, Aston Mead Land & Planning Director.
Read More » -
Latest property news
Another extension? Not Brexit – Housing Secretary pledges radical change to planning laws
Robert Jenrick reveals proposals to enable homeowners to add a two-storey extension to a detached home without planning permission.
Read More » -
Latest property news
Estate agent told to tear down smart new branch exterior by planners
Despite replacing a shabby old shop and helping upgrade a formerly careworn street, Northern Ireland agency Adams McGillan has lost its planning battle.
Read More » -
Guest Blogs
National Planning Policy
Anyone who works in planning knows that the NPPF generates strong debate. Chartered town planner Stephen Mair from Andrew Granger & Co explains how changes to the NPPF could impact on the property industry.
Read More » -
Guest Blogs
What’s your agency’s Plan B?
Planning expert Dominic Dear shares his thoughts on why agents are missing a trick when it comes to winning new instructions.
Read More » -
Latest property news
JLL unveils the city of the future
Agents and property professionals should consider how they will thrive in an increasingly tech-led world, as JLL shows what cities may look like in 2040.
Read More » -
Latest property news
Westminster to stop ‘proliferation’ of estate agent branches after 27% increase
Westminster City Council in London is to restrict the number of new estate agent branches being set up after opting out of a key piece of planning legislation. The council says the number of new agent branches increased from 179 to 228 during the 12 months ending February 2016, an increase of 27.4%. “This represents the largest percentage increase of all London boroughs,” says Julia Corkey, the council’s Executive Director Policy, Performance and Communications (pictured). The council also says research among shoppers within Westminster showed consumers were “aware of the proliferation of estate agents in some shopping centres” and that some specifically requested ‘fewer estate agents’ as well as more and better retail. To enable the council to control the number new estate agent branches it has told the Secretary of State that from January 1st estate agents wishing to change retail usage from shops into branches will have to apply for planning permission. This means the council has opted out of Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning Order 2015 which enables retail premises to be switched via ‘permitted development’ from shops to financial and professional services without planning permission. Robert David, deputy leader of the council, told…
Read More » -
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…
Read More »
- 1
- 2
