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Perils of buying 'micro-plots'

12/10/2020

Photo by James Maxfield on Unsplash

Small investors, self-builders and individuals can be tempted to buy 'micro-plots': fields carved into parcels of land sold with hope value for housing. These rarely gain planning permission and this good article provides a summary. Take advice if you are interested in purchasing, or want to pursue a planning application or appeal.

New permitted development rights

1/9/2020

New permitted development rights now in force that allow demolition of some commercial buildings and also flats, and erection of new housing. You still need prior approval of details from Council, but it could be a big change for some property owners. See more here

New house appeal

7/4/2020

Photo by Daniil Silantev on Unsplash

New build houses in the countryside are sometimes allowed under the 'paragraph 79' exception contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. But they have to be 'innovative or outstanding quality'. A recent appeal decided that high bar wasn't met - it is a tricky case to argue at appeal. https://buff.ly/3bSl3xQ

Passivhaus homes not enough to warrant permission

3/4/2020

The high energy benefits of Passivhaus housing weren't enough to allow for planning permission to be granted for 25 on a green space in a village in Worcestershire. A planning appeal Inspector found that the site was of historic interest to the village, and of benefit to the local community. The appeal was dismissed.

Photo by Jude Infantini on Unsplash

Homes on Devon coast refused

1/4/2020

Photo by Red Zeppelin on Unsplash

Three architect-designed houses on the South Devon coast have been dismissed at appeal due to harm to the coastline, AONB and trees. The houses would have been cylindrical, looking like castle keeps rising about the treeline. The Inspector was unconvinced about their prominence and effect on the sensitive coastal area.

Government's announcement on Green Belts

10/3/2020

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the new Housing Minister, have been discussing Green Belt policy in the House of Commons. Support for the Green Belt was expressed, but with the Housing Minister saying in response to a question from a Labour Member about delivering houses and protecting green spaces 'We want green spaces that people can enjoy – but we also want homes that people can live in, and she cannot have it both ways'.

Photo by Federico Respini on Unsplash

Housing land shortfall leads to one house on appeal

5/3/2020

Photo by Nathan Fertig on Unsplash

Following on from a recent post (below), an Inspector at appeal has allowed just one house on an undeveloped plot within an existing housing estate in the London Borough of Havering, based on the lack of housing provision in the Borough. The Council had delivered only 33 per cent of its housing requirement over the latest three-year period, which meant that the NPPF’s presumption in favour of sustainable development applied. Even one house was found to be beneficial - an important aspect for appeals at the moment.

Rise in new-build housing

26/2/2020

There was an 11% increase in the number of housing started between July and September 2019, compared with the corresponding period in 2018, according to official Government statistics. Private firms increased their number of houses, whilst Housing Associations saw a drop. Housing seems to be on the increase again.

Photo by Étienne Beauregard-Riverin on Unsplash

Eight Councils fail to deliver enough housing

24/2/2020

The government has published their Housing Delivery Test, which show that eight local authorities failed to deliver more than 45 per cent of their housing target. This means those Council now face a 'presumption in favour of sustainable development', which means that that proposed developments should be granted planning permission unless their adverse impacts 'significantly and demonstrably' outweigh their benefits. 75 further Councils have also been told by the Government they need to implement an additional 20 per cent buffer of land supply. These statistics emphasise the drive to housing provision through the planning system.

Photo by Étienne Beauregard-Riverin on Unsplash

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