England round-up: Hackney to protect launderettes; Dementia-friendly housing charter launched

Hackney to protect launderettes 

The London Borough of Hackney has issued an Article 4 Direction that aims to stop private developers changing businesses, warehouses and launderettes into unaffordable homes.

The Planner

Dementia-friendly housing charter launched

Alzheimer’s Society, the dementia support and research charity, has called on housing associations to sign up to its new dementia-friendly housing charter and improve the lives of people living with the condition.

The Planner

Right to Build taskforce pledges to support home building in Buckinghamshire

The National Custom & Self Build Association’s taskforce has announced that Buckingham Advantage is the first organisation to receive its support for work on delivering a mixed-use development in Aylesbury.

The Planner

Over a million used Help to Buy

More than 868,000 have opened a Help to Buy ISA while at least 259,000 people have bought a home using another of the government’s Help to Buy schemes, according to government statistics.

The Planner

Khan to appoint Liz Peace CBE as Old Oak and Park Royal chair

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced his intention to appoint Liz Peace CBE as the new chair of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation.

The Planner

RTPI president visits West Midlands

RTPI President Stephen Wilkinson has visited the West Midlands to see how the region is working across council boundaries and building robust relationships to ensure that regeneration is successful.

RTPI

Barwell: 5% of Starter Homes Land Fund invested

The government has invested 5 per cent of its £1.2 billion Starter Homes Land Fund in 27 sites, the housing minister has revealed.

Inside Housing

‘Dog kennel’ flats in Barnet will be 40% smaller than Travelodge room 

Hundreds of tiny studio flats, many smaller than a budget hotel room, are to be squeezed into an 11-storey block in North London as its developer takes advantage of the government’s relaxation of planning regulations, according to plans.

The Guardian

25,000 comments on Greater Manchester green belt strategy

Controversial plans proposed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority drew around 25,000 comments, 93 per cent of which were relating to site allocations, according to a report.

Salford Star

New route to provide better journeys in Somerset

A new route to upgrade a major south-west road has been proposed by transport secretary Chris Grayling.

UK Government

Council refuses to block plans for Bristol housing development

A meeting has been held to hear concerns from residents who believe Bristol City Council’s plans for the biggest housing development within the city boundary in almost two decades could turn the area into a "concrete jungle".

Bristol Post

Shrewsbury crown court plans approved

Plans to convert Shrewsbury’s magistrates’ court into the county’s crown court have been given the go-ahead.

Shropshire Star

HCA appoints housebuilding expert to lead Accelerated Construction

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has appointed Stephen Kinsella as its new director of Accelerated Construction.

UK Government

‘Bank of mum and dad’ making housing market more unfair, study finds

The number of first-time buyers relying on family loans from the ‘bank of mum and dad’ to fund their deposits is exacerbating inequality and impeding social mobility, warns a government-backed study. 

The Guardian

Planning consent for £6.5m university project

Planning permission has been granted for a £6.5 million extension to the Academy of Innovation and Research building on the University of Falmouth’s Penryn Campus.

Insider Media

Lively debate as historic local plan is passed

Burnley’s Local Plan has been given the green light following a lively debate between councillors and members of the public.

Burnley Express