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House builders call for changes in planning process

If developers are to build more and better homes, the planning process and the attitude of planning authorities need an overhaul.

That’s the views of developers and property experts attending the third roundtable in TheBusinessDesk.com’s series on the Future of Yorkshire, sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson, which considered housing delivery and modern methods of construction (MMC).

Boris Johnson in 2019 announced a target of 300,000 new homes a year to alleviate housing shortages in the UK. Completions have remained a mere fraction of that, with around 37,000 homes in England in the year to March. Affordable housing schemes accounted for 26,500 of those. Meanwhile average UK house prices remain high, rising to nearly £295,000 in June.

And while demand fuelling high prices might seem ideal for developers, they are also facing rising construction costs, and delays in planning applications in the wake of the pandemic increase costs and can lead to loss of funding for a project.

“It’s very difficult to sell virtues to those who are invested in schemes when we’ve gone through such a period of change that we have,” said Will Martin, strategic land lead at Commercial Estates Group, citing not only the pandemic, but political uncertainty. “In my mind we need a period to settle down and get some more certainty in terms of delivery.”

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Rob Gill, head of acquisitions at Casa by Moda, put part of the blame on planning authorities, saying determinations of planning applications by his firm were at a 15 or 20 year low. “I do think we’re getting more and more polarised, the public-private sectors looking at each other and saying, ‘What’s going on? Why is this happening? Why are you doing it this way? You should be doing it that way.’ And it does seem to me politically there needs to be something to bring the two together.”

Shelley Williams, associate residential development lawyer at Womble Bond Dickinson, said planning authorities would have to be more forward thinking and consider commercial interests in future. “It’s the red tape that’s the barrier, in terms of who makes the decision. The private sector can just make their decisions, whereas local authority it has to go to committee. The person you’ve been working with on a specific deal might not be the one who can make the decision. That compounds the delay. It’s quite archaic.”

Emma Gomersal, associate director of real estate at Deloitte, said it was crucial for local authorities to update their framework plans. “That’s what has created such huge delays within many local authorities. They haven’t got an up-to-date plan and officers are constantly having to battle applications coming on green belt land. It’s sapping so much time and resource and effort at that local authority level.”

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Tim Reeve, director of Advent Developments, questioned whether local councillors were qualified to judge planning matters objectively. “I’m a great believer in democracy, but if it’s a policy compliant application, why can it not be approved? It’s very simple – if it’s policy compliant, where’s the harm? And that’s the problem. It’s the subjective interpretation of where the harm is that’s the problem. The delay might be existential to your funding.”

But if planning matters were sorted out, what would future homes look like?

James Lewis, Leeds studio lead at Buttress Architects, was clear. “It’s creating a community and environment that people want to live in, with a central square, a green space in the middle. It’s not about getting as many houses on a site as possible any more. You just can’t do it.

“It’s got to be more sensitive and more environmentally friendly. And people are aware about their energy bills, so they want to understand it’s energy efficient.”

Ryan Shepherd, senior development manager at South Yorkshire Combined Authority, added that infrastructure and connectivity played an important part in creating those desirable spaces, particularly in urban areas where SYCA wanted to attract more professionals and families.

“Our overarching aim is supporting the economic growth of the region. It’s implicitly tied to housing and how you can develop those spaces that retain students from the region and bringing more people in who want to live in those areas.”

The roundtable was part of a series on the Future of Yorkshire sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson, Mott Macdonald, Buttress Architects and Deloitte. The next in the series, in November, will consider devolution.

By Andrew Staples

Source: The Business Deck

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Homes England delivers four year high of housing completions

From 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 there were more houses being built and completed, including affordable homes, Homes England’s housing statistics have shown.

There were 45,692 housing starts, the highest level for nine years, and 40,289 housing completions delivered through Homes England programmes, excluding London, the highest for four years.

Some 30,563 or 67% of housing starts on site in 2018-19 were for affordable homes, up 10% year-on-year and the highest for five years.

Mark Dyason, managing director of the development finance specialist, Thistle Finance, said: “Based on this evidence, homes in England are finally starting to be built in earnest.

“For housing start levels to be the highest in nine years, despite the ever-present uncertainty of Brexit, shows there’s hope for the property market yet.

“So extreme is the supply deficit that developers are proceeding with projects as they feel hedged against the political headwinds. Crucially, homes are not just being built in greater numbers but are selling in greater numbers, with the increase in affordable housing especially welcome.

“Help to Buy is attracting growing criticism at present but it has without doubt had an impact on purchase levels in recent years. It helps that for experienced and financially strong developers there are opportunities aplenty and no shortage of finance options.

“While there is political stasis, the development finance market remains fluid and this is showing through in these strong numbers.”

Some 17,772 affordable homes started in 2018-19 were for affordable rent, an increase of 4% on the 17,159 started in 2017-18. A further 11,560 were for intermediate affordable housing schemes, including Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy, 24% more year-on-year.

The remaining 1,231 were for social rent, a decrease of 12% on the 1,406 started in 2017-18.

Of the affordable homes started in 2018-19, the highest delivering programmes were: Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme (SOAHP) with 89%, up from 71% in 2017-18, and the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) with 4.6%, down from 21% in 2017-18.

Some 28,710 (71%) of housing completions in 2018-19 were for affordable homes, 11% more year-on-year and the highest for four years.

In addition, 18,895 affordable homes completed in 2018-19 were for affordable rent, 4% fewer than the year before. A further 8,854 were for intermediate affordable housing schemes, including Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy, an increase of 75% on the 5,069 completed in 2017-18.

The remaining 961 were for Social Rent, a 1% reduction on the 970 completed in 2017-18. Of the affordable homes completed in 2018-19, the highest delivering programmes were the SOAHP 2016-21 with 55% and the AHP 2015-18 with 39%.

Joseph Daniels, founder of modular developer Project Etopia, added: “Homes England are taking on the housing crisis with a sustained dose of horsepower.

“The nine-year high in its house building rate sends a clear signal that it has built up a head of steam, which is helping to propel the market and housing supply forward.

“Good progress in the past four years, with starts rising year-on-year, takes its building levels almost back to the high seen just after the financial crisis although there is still a long way to go to satisfy the existing deficit.

“All eyes are on this rebound, in the hope it marks the start of a concerted push to new levels of affordable home building in England, coinciding as it does with a renewed political focus on the housing crisis in recent years.

“Although the government’s overall pace of building remains roughly 10,000 homes off target, Homes England could make considerable inroads here and close this gap significantly over the next few years.”

By Michael Lloyd 

Source: Mortgage Introducer

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Is ‘No Deal’ the Best Deal for UK Construction?

According to a recent report by www.designingbuildings.co.uk just 15% of construction executives favoured a UK exit from the European Union (EU).

In recent times the Bank of England declared a no-deal Brexit could wipe 8% off the UK’s GDP this year – a bigger hit than the financial crisis – potentially taking 30% off house prices, according to a report in www.building.co.uk.

And yet with the prospect of the UK potentially pulling out of the EU with a No Deal Brexit, there are clearly vital potential issues about to affect thousands of businesses around the country – from a lack of clear guidance on regulations, to a shortage of skills, and a potential lack of access to building materials.

One obvious major concern is the ‘divorce’ could potentially result in a lack of free movement which Prime Minister Theresa May is adamant should take place.

Surely this means the skills shortage could worsen and the UK could become a victim of higher development costs whereby labour demand outstrips supply?

Figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that one-third of workers on construction sites in London are from overseas, with around 28% coming from the EU. This calls into question the range of skills this one-third has acquired given that construction sites need a combination of skillsets to complete work from engineering to bricklaying.

On the one hand the knock on effect of a lack of free movement could result in the decline in the number of houses being built resulting in construction firms failing to meet the government’s housing target thus deepening the crisis of a lack of housing in large cities.

On the other hand, if investors pull out of the UK, house prices could drop – leaving more empty properties available on the market. Either way, it’s difficult for construction firms to know what to prepare for as Britain meanders its way through unknown territory.

A 2010 study by the Department of Business Skills and Innovation estimated that 64% of building materials were imported by the EU. The same report estimated that 63% of building materials were exported to the EU. After Brexit, importers and exporters may face duties or limits on quantities, which could in turn result in an increase in costs, or a shortage of, construction materials.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, says in a recent press release:

The single biggest issue keeping construction employers awake at night is the skills shortage. If we’re going to address this skills gap post-Brexit, the whole industry needs to step up and expand their training initiatives. Even Sole Traders can offer short term work experience placements and large companies should be aiming to ensure at least 5 per cent of their workforce are trainees or apprentices.

‘But realistically speaking, the UK construction sector can’t satisfy its thirst for skilled labour via domestic workers alone. With record low levels of unemployment, we’ll always need a significant number of migrant workers too – particularly in London and the south east.

‘The Government needs to work with construction to amend its Immigration White Paper and rethink the current definition of low-skilled workers. Level 2 tradespeople play a vital role in the sector and would currently be excluded, which is wrong. We urge Ministers to engage with the construction industry to help improve these proposals.’

The Construction Industry Training Board – www.citb.co.uk, – however, expects positive growth for the construction industry but only in the case of an exit deal as opposed to a no exit deal, according to the CITB’s recent press release.

The annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) report – a five-year forecast into the industry’s skills needs – anticipates construction growth of 1.3% across the UK, down a third of a percent on the previous year. The forecast is based on the scenario that the UK agrees an exit deal with the EU, rather than a ‘No Deal’ situation.

The biggest increase is expected in public housing, which is pulling ahead as infrastructure slows. Financial support from Government at both local and national levels is encouraging a 3.2% growth rate in public housing, up half a percent since last year’s forecast.

Infrastructure is set to grow by 1.9%, down from 3.1% predicted in last year’s forecast. The sector has been heavily affected by Brexit uncertainty and by investors stalling construction of the Welsh nuclear power plant Wylfa in January.

Commercial construction is significantly declining due to investors taking a cautious stance in the face of Brexit. The forecast expects the sector to drop sharply this year then level out by 2023, with zero growth anticipated overall.

However, the housing repair and maintenance sector appears to be benefitting from a quieter property market as home owners halt plans to sell up and instead focus on improving their current properties. By 2023, the sector is expected to have grown by 1.7%.

Despite the wider economic uncertainty, more construction workers will be needed over the next five years. An approximate 168,500 construction jobs are to be created in the UK over the next five years, 10,000 more than in last year’s forecast. Construction employment is expected to reach 2.79 million in 2023, just 2% lower than its peak in 2008.

Steve Radley, Policy Director at CITB, said:

‘This forecast aptly reflects the uncertainty, particularly associated with Brexit that we’re seeing across the wider economy. Currently, concerns around Brexit are weighing on clients and investors, creating a knock-on effect on contractors and their ability to plan ahead.

However, assuming that a deal is agreed, we expect low but positive growth for construction.  Even as infrastructure slows, sectors like public housing and R&M are strengthening. This will see the number of construction jobs increase over the next five years, creating growing opportunities for careers in construction and increasing the importance of tackling the skills pressures we face,”

Whether one prefers the notion of a road to opportunity or the wake-up call of a No Deal Brexit, the clock is ticking for the UK’s construction executives as the sector waits for clarity from the UK Government.

By 

Source: Busubess Bewa Wales

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Hammonds’ solution to a broken housing market: a sticking plaster on a gaping wound

Despite reiterating that the economy remained “robust”, during the delivery of the Spring Statement on 13 March 2019, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond MP emphasised that the UK is currently shrouded in a “cloud of uncertainty”.

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) remains unconvinced by the chancellor’s latest announcements on housing and planning which include an Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme and the use of the forthcoming Environment Bill to mandate biodiversity net gain for developments in England.

As we approach the 2020 deadline by which the Government had pledged to deliver one million homes, including 200,000 starter homes, it is becoming increasingly clear that both targets will be missed.

Now, it appears the Government’s solution is to throw money at the challenge – up to £3 billion for the delivery of 30,000 affordable homes through housing associations, to be precise.

Firstly, those figures make no economic sense. If the Government, its agencies, such as Homes England, and planners had been developing sustainable relationships with lower volume house builders to deliver the numbers of homes we need, it would not be in a last-minute panic.

Further, a stumbling block to increasing demand for, or the provision of, affordable housing is the cost. As long as the cost of affordable housing is set in legislation at £450,000, it will continue to remain unaffordable.

The House Builders Association (HBA), the house building division of the NFB, expresses concerns about the chancellor’s announcement that biodiversity net gain will become compulsory for developments across England.

Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing and planning policy for the HBA, said: “With biodiversity net gain in its infancy and the consultation barely completed, there is a real danger that mandating it, without thinking about its real world consequences, makes it a tax and not a positive outcome for the environment. For that reason, it is a serious concern that a timeline for implementation has already been set.”

Written by: National Federation of Builders

Source: Politics Home

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Plans for 20 new homes to fight homelessness in Wolverhampton

Housing bosses in Wolverhampton are set to discuss plans for 20 new homes on the site of a derelict former adventure playground, as part of an ongoing drive to combat homelessness in the city.

The council this week warned private landlords that any homes left empty for long periods of time will be seized and used to provide accommodation for needy families – with houses in Bilston and Pennfields among the latest.

Alongside the council’s Empty Properties Strategy, it is anticipated that the continued residential development of suitable empty areas of land in the borough will help to drive down the numbers of homeless families and rough sleepers in the city.

The site of the former Old Fallings Adventure Playground, which finally closed in November last year following repeated episodes of vandalism, has now been earmarked for a new housing development.

The city council’s Scrutiny Board is set to discuss the matter next month.

Councillor Peter O’Neill, chairman of the council’s Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panel, said: “Now that this site has been declared as ‘surplus’, it could instead be used to build much-needed new housing which would greatly revitalise the surrounding area.

“There is a desperate need for housing in the area and we have been working with Wolverhampton Homes and other partners to look at ways in which we can develop it.

“The area is about two and-a-half acres in size and a housing project would mean it is likely to be a building site for a couple of years.

“However, we are actively looking at whether it could be used to help meet the growing demand for new housing in the city by developing around 20 properties on the site.”

The latest two privately owned long-term empty homes identified for compulsory purchase orders by the council this week are located in Beckett Street, Bilston, and Rayleigh Road, Pennfields.

Despite the increasing demand for new housing in Wolverhampton, a recent survey conducted by national firm Attic Self Storage revealed that the number of long-term vacant properties in the West Midlands has steadily improved over the years, with 26,402 in 2004, 10,867 in 2013 and 9,778 by the end of 2017.

During this period Wolverhampton reported an improvement rate of 0.6 per cent behind Walsall and Sandwell.

Source: Express and Star

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Planning hurdle passed in bid to build 1,600 new homes at Western Harbour

Developers will finally bring forward detailed plans for around 1,600 new homes which have stalled for more than 15 years.

Forth Ports’ proposals to redevelop its Western Harbour site between Leith and Newhaven passed a planning hurdle when the updated development framework was approved by councillors.

The company will now bring forward full plans by February – as original outline planning permission is due to expire next year. The framework was resubmitted due to the original masterplan for the site no longer meeting aspects of the council’s planning guidance.

The new community will include a large park, a board-walk promenade and a new school for which plans are set to come forward “in the next couple of months”. Forth Ports has submitted a funding bid to the Scottish Government for a loan to accelerate delivery of affordable housing at the waterfront site.

Charles Hammond, Forth Ports group chief executive, said: “We are pleased with the decision by City of Edinburgh Council to approve our revised design framework for Western Harbour in Leith.

“Forth Ports and Rettie & Co have been working together for over two years on these proposals that will result in the delivery of a community of 1,600 mid-market rental home and park which should also create the setting for the new primary school for the area.”

He added: “Through our other recently completed developments at Harbour Point and Harbour Gateway, we know there is a great deal of demand from people looking for these mid rent homes and an opportunity to create a community.

“Our proposal represents a major boost for the Leith economy and for Edinburgh as a whole and we now hope for a positive outcome from the Scottish Ministers on the possible loan funding for this project. Work is well underway preparing a full planning application in readiness for submission before the end of February 2019.”

Three blocks of flats on the Western harbour site have already been built in the first phase of the project – along with a hotel and an Asda supermarket.

This phase of the development won planning permission in principle in 2002 – but the renewed agreement is set to expire next year. The new flats will range from three to eight stories high and each block will have its own surrounding green space built around a park.

The city council’s development management sub-committee welcomed the revised vision for the Western Harbour.

Ward Cllr Chas Booth said the response from local residents had been “overwhelmingly positive”.

He added: “This space has laid empty for a long time and local residents are very keen to see development come forward. If the decision to go ahead with the trams is made later this year, this is highly accessible from a public transport perspective.

“This is a good application. I hope that between now and the detailed application, it can still be improved in terms of pedestrian and cycle access and in terms of the green space.” Councillors unanimously approved the revised design framework. Planning convener Cllr Neil Gardiner said:

“This allows for more creativity in future applications – that should be supported. “The larger blocks allow for better green space and I’m very happy to see that car parking is either underground or captured within the blocks – it’s not predominantly on the streets.”

Source: Edinburgh News

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Plans for new homes in Spofforth deferred over safety fears

Controversial plans to build up to 72 new houses in the historic Yorkshire village of Spofforth have been deferred despite Harrogate Borough Council planning officers recommending approval.

In edgy and hearfelt exchanges at a planning committee meeting (June 12), the 11-strong committee persistently resisted pressure from planning officers who claimed there was no good reason to defer the application, particularly since, at this stage, it was only being submitted in outline form.

But  councillors were very concerned about the extra traffic that would be generated by the new housing estate, earmarked to be located on farm land at Massey Fold at the eastern end of Spofforth, a floral village which lies between Harrogate and Wetherby and prides itself in being mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The chairman of Spofforth Parish Council, Coun Shirley Fawcett, told the meeting: “The main problem is the traffic. It’s absolutely terrible.”

Meanwhile, Spofforth’s Borough councillor, Conservative Andrew Paraskos, highlighted the problems facing pedestrians; and he denied the developer’s claim that the narrow footpath along Harrogate Road – where the main entrance to the housing estate will be located – was safe.

“It’s blatantly not safe,” he said. “Pedestrians have to walk single file and you can’t get a pushchair or wheelchair along the footpath.”

According to Spofforth resident Stewart Killin, this would mean most residents would  either get into their cars; or walk – but put themselves at risk.

He also highlighted other problems which would be caused if the application was approved including the impact on Spofforth’s primary school and on dental and medical services in the village.

Altogether Harrogate Council received 172 representations from Spofforth residents, all objecting to the plans and on a variety of grounds including  that the proposed land was known to flood; that the site was one of potential archaeological interest; and that the northwestern corner of the site lay within Spofforth’s conservation area.

Harrogate Council’s planning department acknowledged that the application by the Ilkley-based property developer Opus North (part of real estate investment giant, Palmer Capital) would cause harm to the setting of the village and some ecological damage, but argued that this would be “limited” and that any impact would be “adequately mitigated.”

The planners also felt such considerations were outweighed by the benefits offered by the new housing estate. These included providing additional housing to meet the needs of the Harrogate district. Plus the financial contribution promised by the developer towards the maintenance and enhancement of Spofforth’s existing facilities and services.

Opus North had already amended its original planning application, reducing the number of proposed houses from 84 to a maximum of 72.

Ignoring the advice of planning officials, councillors unanimously backed the suggestion by Coun Robert Windass (Con, Boroughbridge) that any decision should be deferred until after the committee had been given the opportunity to closely question a representative of North Yorkshire County Council’s highways department about safe access to and from the proposed estate.

It was also suggested that an official from the County Council’s education department should be present to spell out exactly what impact the new housing development would have on Spofforth’s primary school; whether an extension would have to be built – or children forced to travel elsewhere.

It was agreed that the meeting with County County officials should be arranged as quickly as possible.

Source: Stray FM

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New-build market in the UK to benefit from genuine competition for water connections

John March, Water Director at GTC shares his views on how the new-build market in the UK is to benefit from genuine competition for water connections

From April 2018, measures introduced by Ofwat, the UK water regulator, sweep away barriers to competition and, for the first time, give housebuilders and developers in England and Wales a real choice of providers for new water and wastewater connections. This opening up of the water market is expected to bring developers in both the private and public sectors significant benefits, including the opportunity for developments of all sizes to adopt a truly multi-utility approach, sourcing all of a site’s utilities through a single network provider.

Until now, there have been very limited opportunities for developers to source their water networks from anyone other than their local water company. In England and Wales, water companies supply domestic water and wastewater services on a monopoly basis within their specific geographical areas. It has always been an option for new developments to choose a competing water company, but under the previous rules, it was only financially viable for competing companies to become involved on the largest projects.

Water competition – the changes

These competing water companies are referred to as NAVs – ‘New Appointment and Variation’ – and are licensed by the regulator on a per-site basis. NAVs own and manage the site network providing billing, maintenance and customer services. They either install the network themselves or adopt networks installed on a developer’s behalf by Self-Lay Providers (SLPs).

Following an investigation into how the water market was operating, Ofwat identified several significant barriers to competition. These involved the way in which tariffs for bulk water supply and income offset were calculated. The changes being introduced will make it easier for developers and competing water companies to establish what an incumbent water company will charge to connect a new development to their existing water network. The charges will also be fairer, with new connections being the same irrespective of who the final network owner will be. In addition, Ofwat has undertaken to streamline the lengthy licensing process required to appoint alternative network providers, such as GTC.

Bringing water into line with the markets for gas and electricity

Housebuilders and developers are used to the freedom to choose their network providers for gas and electricity connections and indeed most of new electricity and gas connections are undertaken by independent network providers. The gas and electricity markets in the UK were liberalised twenty years ago and the opening up of those markets has delivered increased competition on price, higher service standards and more innovation and development. The same benefits will now be available in the water and wastewater markets. The Home Builders Federation (HBF), the representative body for the home building industry in England and Wales regards these developments as so significant that it has established a committee to focus on how these major changes will impact its members.

GTC, as the UK’s largest independent utility network provider to the new-build market, has welcomed the opening up of the water market and has been working with Ofwat and Water UK, which represents the water industry, to help make these changes happen. GTC has considerable experience of being a NAV licence holder and is already responsible for more than 8000 live water and wastewater new connections, with contracts to build out tens of thousands of further connections on sites from Newcastle in the north to Weston-Super-Mare in the southwest. GTC is looking forward to being able to offer the whole housebuilding sector the opportunity to benefit from its different approach to network provision across all the utilities.

The future is… multi-utility

With the arrival of genuine competition in the water market, adopting a multi-utility approach is now a realistic option for housebuilders and developers working on sites of all sizes. Now all a development’s utilities – water, wastewater, electricity, gas, ultrafast FTTH (Fibre-to-the-Home) and in some case district energy – can be sourced from a single independent provider. Utility procurement can be simplified with only one set of tenders, one company to deal with and a single project manager who oversees the installation of all the utilities with all the time and cost-savings, that would deliver.

GTC and its sister company Metropolitan, has worked in just this way on several flagship projects such as King’s Cross and Greenwich Millennium Village in London and has direct experience of the benefits that co-ordinated utility installation and combined network management can bring. Those benefits will now be available to much smaller developments, even those of as few as 50 houses.

Developers need to act now

The new measures come into force in April and every housebuilder and developer needs to consider how these changes will affect their utility procurement. Provided an order has not yet been placed, it is still possible to review options.

Robust competition across all the utilities for new-build developments can only be a good thing. It is now up to housebuilders to take full advantage of these new opportunities.

Source: Open Access Government

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Mayor demands better new homes in Shrewsbury planning row

Controversial plans for 164 houses on land off Otley Road have moved a step closer. Council officers have recommend that the plans are approved – but Shrewsbury Town Council has objected to the development, with the mayor today saying the town deserves better quality houses.

The plans are part of a much larger scheme of up to 550 houses, commercial development, a hotel, a care home of up to 70 beds and supporting local centre and community uses.

Work will also involve the building of new estate roads and associated highways works, associated infrastructure, associated earthworks, and landscape works including informal open space and children’s play area, which were given outline permission in 2015.

Shrewsbury Town Council has objected to the plans for the houses and said that there are not enough open spaces, lack of parking, and lack of affordable housing.

Shrewsbury’s mayor Jane MacKenzie said she will personally be objecting over the lack of quality and she said she is organising a public meeting to set up a list of principles for quality development to be handed to developers at the first stage of a planning application.

Standards

She said: “I’m going to be objecting over the quality of the building, the lack of imagination and the low standards that property developers seem to be getting away with.

“We’re hoping to set up a meeting next month and develop a list of principles which will go to Shropshire Council’s planning department and be handed out to developers at the first stage of the planning process.

“We’re getting the same old developers thinking they can just push something through that doesn’t support the culture and heritage of Shrewsbury.

“It’s very disappointing, people deserve better. It’s about the next generation not us.

“I’m organising the public meeting for people who are tired of what’s happening in Shrewsbury with the development.

“We need development, but just better quality development.”

The public meeting will take place at The Guildhall on April 28.

Bellway Homes Ltd have applied to build the homes which would consist of 15 two bedroom houses, 72 houses with three bedrooms, 52 houses with four bedrooms, which would all be private housing.

There would also be a number of affordable homes including four one bedroom apartments, 14 two bedroom houses and seven three bedroom houses.

Shropshire Council’s central planning committee will make a decision on the plans on Thursday in Shirehall.

Source: Shropshire Star

 

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New council homes set to ease waiting list woe in Nuneaton and Bedworth

More council homes are set to be built across Nuneaton and Bedworth in a bid to ease the ever-growing waiting list.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has, unlike many other authorities across the country, been forging ahead with plans to build more council homes.

As a result, it has been awarded what is known as full Investment Partner status by Homes England, a public body sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

With the title comes a grant of £120,000, which the council is using to build more affordable homes, including a new project in Bedworth.

New council homes in Bedworth

The council’s latest build programme is at Ashington Road, Bedworth, where there will be four new two-bedroom homes.

New modern methods of construction are being piloted which means they will be ready for occupation far faster than traditional brick build, helping the council to meet the notoriously high level of demand for affordable rented housing across the two towns.

‘Significant achievement’

Councillor Dennis Harvey, Town Hall leader, said: “This is fantastic news – it is a real vote of confidence in our experience and ability as a housing developer; few local authorities have been awarded full Investment Partner status by Homes England so this is a really significant achievement.

“The assessment team were really impressed by our strong track record in the delivery of new housing and in the quality of the recent programmes at Abbey Street and Kings View.

“Full Investment Partner status means that we’re considered to be a safe pair of hands in building houses and as such, we have been given certain privileges and better access to grant funding.

“This allows us to better serve our residents by meeting the demand for good quality affordable new rental homes within the borough.”

Source: Coventry Telegraph