You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Eight councils to suffer planning powers hit following latest Housing Delivery Test results
Eight councils will have some of their planning powers curbed after failing to meet government targets for the number of houses they delivered.
The authorities have fallen short of delivering at least 45% of the target number of homes the government has deemed as needed in their localities over the past three years, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Housing Delivery Test numbers today show.
The affected authorities are Havering, Thanet, Eastbourne, Three Rivers, Basildon, North Hertfordshire, New Forest and the City of London. All are in London, the South East or the East of England.
As punishment, planning policy in these districts will become subject to the “presumption in favour of sustainable development”.
READ MORE
Effectively this means they will be forced to give greater weight to the government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) relative to their local policies when deciding whether to accept planning applications.
Sites not allocated as part of local plans may therefore be more likely to receive planning permission, as long as proposals meet the NPPF criteria.
In addition, 74 councils considered by the test to have delivered less than 85% of the homes they need must revisit their local plans and identify a 20% ‘buffer’ – 20% more land for development than is currently allocated in their five-year pipeline.
The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) must also identify a land buffer.
Another 26 councils deemed to have delivered between 85% and 95% of the target home figure must put together an action plan to increase development.
The remaining 216 councils captured by the test have met the 95% delivery threshold and face no action – a decrease of three since the last results were published in February 2019.
Next year’s Housing Delivery Test results will see the threshold to avoid the ‘presumption’ rise to 75% – with 54 councils plus the LLDC in line to be affected based on today’s measurement.
Inside Housing Development Summit 2020
Inside Housing is pleased to join forces with Homes England and the LGA to introduce the Inside Housing Development Summit.
Taking place on 27-28 April 2020, the summit will gather together local authorities, housing associations, developers, fund managers and advisors for a Chatham House style event focussed on making new connections and exploring new delivery models.
The summit will take place over 28 hours, starting with an afternoon plenary on 27 April, an exclusive development site study tour to Northstowe, England's largest new town since Milton Keynes, followed by a business dinner.
The second day will provide opportunities to network with a range of senior Homes England and LGA staff including Nick Walkley, chief executive of Homes England and Mark Lloyd, chief executive of LGA.
You’ll also meet with leaders from across the development ecosystem and take part in group discussions to help you connect and explore new opportunities. All accommodation and meals will be provided within the fee.
Places for each stakeholder group are limited to ensure a balanced mix of participants and to make sure you leave with the relationships and leads you need.
Click here to book your place or for more information
Sign up for our Council Focus newsletter
Already have an account? Click here to manage your newsletters
