England round-up: Land value capture system reform could offer public service gains, say MPs; Breach of HMO rules results in £30k fine

Land value capture system reform could offer public service gains, say MPs

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has concluded that the government must reform the Land Compensation Act 1961 to fund the infrastructure and local services required to meet its housing targets.

The Planner

Brokenshire prevents adoption of East Hertfordshire’s local plan

The housing secretary has issued a holding direction on the adoption of the East Hertfordshire District Local Plan amid concerns about the release of green belt land.

The Planner

Grayling approves Testo’s junction DCO

Transport secretary Chris Grayling has approved a Development Consent Order (DCO) for alterations to be made to Testo’s junction in Sunderland.

The Planner

Breach of HMO rules results in £30k fine

An agent who let a tiny room behind a property’s kitchen in Brent has been ordered to pay more than £30,000 in fines after appearing at Willesden Magistrates Court.

The Planner

Road upgrades set to create homes and jobs in Yorkshire and North East

Three major road improvements in Yorkshire and the North East are set to pave the way for new homes and jobs for local communities.

The Planner

PPG updates published

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published new and updated guidance on assessing housing need and plan-making, following publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in July.

The Planner

Gove introduces Agriculture Bill to Parliament

Environment secretary Michael Gove has introduce legislation to Parliament that aims to deliver a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations after the UK leaves the European Union next year.

The Planner

Government confirms route for ‘Ox-Cam Expressway’

Roads minister Jesse Norman has announced the government’s preferred route for the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway, which aims to deliver the missing link in the expressway between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

The Planner

Skills shortage set to hamper housing delivery, say small builders

Research by the Federation of Master Builders suggests that small builders believe a shortage of skills in the building industry will be a bigger concern over the next three years than access to finance.

The Planner

Government and Barclays team up to provide finance for housing

Barclays and the government have joined forces to provide £1 billion of development finance to help increase the pace and volume of housing provision across England, as the government looks to make good on its promise to deliver 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s.

The Planner

North East housing association plans 500-home investment

North East housing association Bernicia plans to invest £190 million into new homes and existing properties over the next five years.

Construction Enquirer

Lack of affordable housing ‘harming Shropshire economy’

A lack of affordable housing in Shropshire is hampering local businesses’ efforts to recruit, says a council planning manager.

Shropshire Standard

Landlords told to remove Grenfell-style cladding or face action

The communities secretary James Brokenshire has written to about 60 building owners and developers to explain the actions they must take to avoid penalties if unsafe cladding is not removed.

The Guardian

Homes protesters urged to drop court action

Campaigners challenging Waverley’s ‘unsustainable’ housing target of 11,200 houses by 2032 in the High Court next month, have been urged to drop their legal cases.

Farnham Herald

Owner of listed flat ordered to restore original features he ripped out

The owner of a listed basement flat in Seven Dials has been told to restore the original features he ripped out during a luxury refit, including a staircase, a fireplace and internal walls.

Brighton & Hove News

MPs call for action over illegal traveller pitches

MPs have warned the government of “real anger” if they fail to tackle illegal traveller and gypsy sites, but charity Friends Families and Travellers have defended the community, insisting that there is “a chronic shortage” of legal sites.

iNews

Positive step forward in meeting housing needs

A major milestone has been reached in helping to make sure the right development happens in the right places across Harborough district, says Harborough District Council.

Harborough District Council

Potential housing sites identified by council

A report that identifies where housing could be built across the district has been put out for public consultation by Stratford District Council.

Stratford-upon-Avon Herald

Multistorey applications in Sherman Road rejected

Two separate multistorey planning applications in Sherman Road were both rejected at Bromley Council’s Development Control Committee meeting.

Bromley Council

Network Rail agrees £1.46bn commercial estate sale

Network Rail has agreed terms with Telereal Trillium and Blackstone Property Partners for the sale of its commercial estate portfolio. Proceeds from the £1.46 billion transaction will help to fund the railway upgrade plan.

Network Rail