Category: Planning
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Sadiq Khan Gains ‘Emergency’ powers to unlock stalled London homes
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has been given new powers under the government’s emergency measures to unlock stalled housing projects. He can now intervene in delayed schemes and approve planning permission for larger developments, including some green belt sites. While the move promises faster construction, experts warn that high costs and local opposition could…
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‘Absolutely no way’ government’s 1.5m homes target can be met
The government’s promise to deliver 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029 has been branded “absolutely impossible” by one of Britain’s most respected housing economists. Speaking on BBC Panorama’s The Race to Build 1.5 Million Homes, Professor Paul Cheshire warned that the scale of the target “cannot be done” within the next five years.…
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She waited 7 months for £6m Omaze home — now she’s selling
After months of uncertainty, the winner of a £6m Omaze mansion in Blakeney has finally been told she can move in. North Norfolk District Council has approved retrospective planning permission for the home’s pool, tennis court, and garage, ending a seven-month wrangle. But Vicky Curtis-Cresswell says she now plans to sell the luxury property and…
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She waited 7 months for £6m Omaze home — now she’s selling
After months of uncertainty, the winner of a £6m Omaze mansion in Blakeney has finally been told she can move in. North Norfolk District Council has approved retrospective planning permission for the home’s pool, tennis court, and garage, ending a seven-month wrangle. But Vicky Curtis-Cresswell says she now plans to sell the luxury property and…
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Who is responsible for shared drains on my property? What every homeowner should know
Hidden below ground and rarely seen or heard, drainage isn’t something most of us think about – until there’s a problem. But if you don’t know which pipes you’re responsible for, you could end up ignoring issues, passing the buck, or even causing long-term damage. That’s why it’s vital to understand who’s in charge of…
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UK planning bill changes aim to unshackle ‘stubborn’ system
The government has proposed a series of new measures it hopes will turbocharge planning and infrastructure delivery across Britain. The amendments to the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill could become law later this year if ministers vote them through. If passed, the bill will give ministers new powers to issue ‘holding directions’ to stop councils…
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Omaze £6m mansion prize in limbo over council planning dispute
When Vicky Curtis-Cresswell won a £6 million mansion in Blakeney, Norfolk, through an Omaze and Comic Relief raffle in March, she dreamed of moving in immediately. But now, nearly seven months later, she still hasn’t received the keys. The future of her prize, and her plans to settle her family, hangs on the outcome of…
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Will Labour’s planning bill widen the ‘green space gap’?
Britain’s race to fix its housing crisis is colliding with another national obsession – the deepening divide between those who live near nature and those who don’t. As Labour’s new Planning and Infrastructure Bill promises to “get Britain building” with fewer environmental hurdles, critics warn it could accelerate the loss of local green space and…
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Industry questions Labour Party Conference housing plans
Labour used its party conference this week to unveil plans for 12 new towns and a broader package of housing initiatives across England. Ministers framed the proposals as a long-term solution to the housing crisis, promising 1.5 million new homes in the current Parliament, including a significant proportion designated as affordable. Industry experts, however, warned…
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Can the Government’s new planning lawyer deliver 1.5m homes?
The Government has appointed Catherine Howard, a senior planning lawyer, as Infrastructure and Planning Adviser to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in a bid to tackle delays in housebuilding. Howard will advise on implementing planning reforms aimed at increasing the pace of approvals for housing projects. The appointment comes as ministers face pressure to meet the target…