BUILD BUILD BUILD – Is this a good idea? What do you think?

I see the government has set out plans to overhaul our outdated planning system and reform the way the country builds houses.

Having been involved in development projects, there is an old adage developers often use. ‘’Building them is the easy bit…..it’s the crap we have to go through before that makes it so difficult.’’

Maybe this is the right time to reform our antiquated planning systems. How can it be right that pressure groups and political opponents are always harping on about building more homes and yet they appear to support the old outdated system that keep far too many development projects on ice for years and years.

How can it be right that some local authority planning committees go out of their way to delay projects as long as possible?

This week, we have already seen social media come alive and many are negative towards this initiative. Some say immigration is the problem. ‘’Solve immigration and we won’t need so many houses’’, they claim.  I very much doubt the government will introduce forced deportations to bring down the population.

Another issue people will rightfully raise is that of support infrastructure. No good building more houses if we don’t build more schools, shops, supermarkets, doctors surgeries, hospitals, children play parks, green spaces and all the rest that makes up our neighbourhoods today.

The fact is we need more houses in England. Young people are still struggling to find a place to allow them to get on the property ladder.

The government sets out the following:

• Plans to streamline the process, cut red tape and harness technology to deliver homes faster
• Place value on green spaces protected for future generations, with more building on brownfield land
• Building beautiful homes with communities at the heart of a new planning system
• 30% discount through First Homes, with an emphasis on key workers.

They also claim that the reforms will mean:

• Local communities will be consulted from the very beginning of the planning process. By harnessing the latest technology through online maps and data, the whole system will be made more accessible
• Valued green spaces will be protected for future generations by allowing for more building on brownfield land and all new streets to be tree lined
• Much-needed homes will be built quicker by ensuring local housing plans are developed and agreed in 30 months – down from the current 7 years
• Every area to have a local plan in place – currently only 50% of local areas has a plan to build more homes
• The planning process to be overhauled and replaced with a clearer, rules based system. Currently around a third of planning cases that go to appeal are overturned at appeal
• A new simpler national levy to replace the current system of developer contributions which often causes delay
• The creation of a fast-track system for beautiful buildings and establishing local design guidance for developers to build and preserve beautiful communities
• All new homes to be ‘zero carbon ready’, with no new homes delivered under the new system needed to be retrofitted as we achieve our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050

What do you think?

See more details on the government pages here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/launch-of-planning-for-the-future-consultation-to-reform-the-planning-system?

Thanks for reading.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

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