Tag Archives: Housing

New Rights – Office to Home Conversions without Need for Planning

On 24th January 2013 Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced new planning measures in a letter to chief planners. The proposed legislation will be issued to come into force in Spring 2013. The new permitted development rights allow change of use from B1(a) office to C3 residential.  The new permitted development rights will allow office space to be converted into new homes without the need for planning permission from the local authority. The permitted development right will be in place for 3 years, and because local circumstances vary, local authorities will have an opportunity to seek an exemption if they can demonstrate there would be substantial adverse economic consequences. Buildings no longer suitable or needed for agricultural use could be transferred … Continue reading

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The Kirkwells’ Pig Ugly Awards

Never one’s to shy away from having a bit of fun, and with the end of the year in sight, Planning Minister Nick Boles has given us a great idea: The Kirkwells’ Pig Ugly Awards. What, you may well be saying? Well, our Planning Minister introduced a key new term in to the architectural lexicon. One to sit alongside Prince Charles’s  “monstrous carbuncle”: pig ugly. So just how far do you have to sink to get the Minister’s Pig Ugly Award? Nick Boles’ benchmark is, step forward, Harrison’s Wharf, in Purfleet. We make no comment: Harrison’s Wharf, Purfleet (Source) Courtesy: primelocation.com So to celebrate all that is pig ugly in the world of planning, architecture and design we have decided to hold the … Continue reading

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Scarborough Consults on Housing Numbers

Scarborough Council are consulting on options for the overall level of housing to be planned for in the Scarborough Borough Local Plan to 2030. As part of this process six options or scenarios for the amount of housing in the Borough have been generated. Level of Development Total Housing Growth (Range) (2011/12-2029/30) Yearly Delivery Rate (Range) Scenario A 1,900 – 3,800 100 – 200 Scenario B 3,800 – 5,700 200 – 300 Scenario C 5,700 – 7,600 300 – 400 Scenario D 7,600 – 9,500 400 – 500 Scenario E 9,500 – 11,400 500 – 600 Scenario F Above 11,400 Above 600 If the Scarborough consultation affects you, and you need to you make sure your views are taken in to … Continue reading

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Birmingham Consults on Development Plan Options

To plan for Birmingham’s growing population the city council have kick started consultations on a new development plan. Any one interested in the future of Birmingham now has until the 14th of January 2013 to comment on development options for the future of the city. The City Council calculates there will be a shortfall in housing land of some 30,000 units if only urban sites are considered. The City Council are also looking to increase employment land supply. As a result the option of developing land currently designated as Green Belt is being considered. The areas being considered are shown below. If the Birmingham Plan affects you make sure your views are taken in to account get expert help from RTPI … Continue reading

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Renegotiation of Section 106 Planning Obligations

In a move to try and kick start stalled housing developments the Government are proposing to allow formal requests for renegotiation of section 106 agreements agreed in more buoyant market conditions. The preferred route is for section 106 agreements to be renegotiated with local authorities on a voluntary basis. But where voluntary agreement cannot be reached formal requests for renegotiation would be allowed on planning obligations agreed prior to 6th of April 2010 – one month after new regulations taking effect. Currently such a formal request can only be made when an obligation is five years old. The local authority must take a decision on such a request and there is a right to appeal. The Government’s proposed change would … Continue reading

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Derby Growth Strategy

  Derby City Council are consulting on their Preferred Growth Strategy. This will set out how many homes should be provided in Derby up to 2028, and on what sites. The Preferred Growth Strategy proposes 12,000 new homes for Derby up to 2028. A number of sites have been assessed and either included or not included for future housing. Have the City Council identified the right sites? Do you have a site that should be included in the Derby Preferred Growth Strategy? If you do get expert help from RTPI planners, email or call: 01282 872570 The Preferred Growth Strategy can be viewed here. The consultation closes on the 21st of December 2012.   ©Kirkwells Town Planners and Sustainable Development … Continue reading

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Amber Valley Growth Strategy

Amber Valley is consulting on a Preferred Growth Strategy as part of the area’s Core Strategy preparations. This consultation document concentrates on how much housing should be provided and where new large-scale growth should take place in Amber Valley up to 2028. Land for 9,000 new homes is needed including strategic sites at: An urban extension to the east of Alfreton at Outseats Farm An urban extension to the north of Heanor at Newlands/Taylor Lane Urban extensions to the east of Ripley at Nottingham Road, to the east of Codnor at Alfreton Road and to the south-east of Ripley at Coppice Farm Land at Denby currently identified for mixed-use development in the adopted Amber Valley Borough Local Plan The results of this consultation will … Continue reading

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Planning Rules Change to Boost Economy

A major new package of planning measures has been announced to help kick-start the UK economy. Commenting on the measures Michael Wellock, Kirkwells’ Managing Director said: “Given the state of the economy these measures have a hint of desperation about them, but now is not the time to quibble. Hopefully these measures will help to get development moving.” If a  planning problem is holding your project back get expert help call us on 01282 872570 or email. The measures include: Removing restrictions on house builders to help unlock 75 000 homes currently stalled due to sites being commercially unviable. Developers who can prove that council’s costly affordable housing requirements make the project unviable will see them removed. New legislation for Government … Continue reading

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Cannock Chase Consults on Local Plan

Combining the Core Strategy, and Rugeley Town Centre Area Action Plan, Cannock Chase Council is consulting, up until the 17th of September 2012, on a new Local Plan. The basic strategy in the plan is to focus  development across the existing settlements of Cannock, Hednesford, Heath Hayes, Norton Canes, Rugeley, and Brereton. Cannock, Hednesford and Hayes will see 1,550 houses on urban sites and 750 homes as an urban extension on a strategic site west of Pye Green Road. and an initial 58 ha of employment land with more at Kingswood Lakeside, if required. Rugeley and Brereton will see 680 houses on urban sites. A strategic development allocation to the east of Rugeley within the Lichfield District Local Plan contributes 500 houses to … Continue reading

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80% of Affordable Housing Programme Not Ready to Start

80% of the Government’s Affordable Housing Programme is not yet ready to start the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has confirmed.  HCA data show only £219 million of the £1.07 billion programme outside London has been “confirmed”. 80% of housing associations have yet to secure a planning permission or identify a site. This means the Government’s target of building 63,000 affordable homes outside London by 2015 is in jeopardy. The Kirkwells’ team have a long track record of working alongside housing associations to find sites and secure planning permission. Call us to make sure your development is complete for 2015. 01282 872570    ©Kirkwells Town Planners and Sustainable Development Consultants based at the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre in Burnley www.kirkwells.co.uk Research … Continue reading

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