England round-up: Wolverhampton constructs council homes offsite; Survey finds fall in under-44s owning homes

Wolverhampton constructs council homes offsite

The first of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s council homes to have been constructed offsite will be dropped into place at Fallings Park at the end of this month.

The Planner

Survey finds fall in under-44s owning homes 

The rate of owner occupation has remained the same for the fourth year in a row, but the drop in the proportion of owners under the age of 44 has been ‘particularly pronounced’, claims the government’s latest English Housing Survey.

The Planner

Report: Community-led housing should be part of housing shortage solution

Community-led housing should be part of the ‘strategic mix’ to increase the supply of affordable homes available to local people, a report suggests.

The Planner

SMEs struggle to hire bricklayers, suggests survey 

Two-thirds of bosses at small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms are struggling to hire bricklayers and carpenters, according to the Federation of Master Builders.

The Planner

Funding announced to make homes more accessible for elderly and disabled

Housing and homelessness minister Heather Wheeler has confirmed that £42 million of funding will go towards adapting homes for elderly and disabled people so they can live independently and safely.

The Planner

Year-on-year increase in rough sleeping – stats

In autumn 2017, the total number of rough sleepers counted and estimated was 4,751, according to statistics published by the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Planner

National park produces draft development briefs

The South Downs National Park Authority has produced draft development briefs for four sites allocated for housing in the South Downs Local Plan.

South Down National Park Authority

Dame Judith Hackitt hosts industry summit 

Around 50 senior industry figures have met to inform the next phase of the Independent Review into Building Regulations and Fire Safety.

UK Government

Carillion collapse leads to sector deal change

The publication of a report outlining the government’s £170 million construction sector deal has been delayed following the collapse of Carillion, according to Construction News.

Construction News

Council says compulsory purchase order for new Theale school is ‘unviable’

Forcing through a new primary school in Theale is now an ‘unviable option’ West Berkshire Council has conceded. 

Newbury Today

Campaign group wants to create new Brockley nature reserve

Campaign group The Fourth Reserve Trust is campaigning to protect the ancient woodland next to the Crofton Park scout hut, which has been granted Asset of Community Value status.

Brockley Central

More concerns raised over potential impact of HS2 on Derbyshire village

Around 200 people have attended a public meeting in Newton to raise concerns over the potential impact HS2 will have on the Derbyshire village.

Derbyshire Times

Formal consultation on Harrogate’s local plan to get under way 

A final consultation into Harrogate’s local plan has begun today (26 January), after the full council approved the draft publication version late last year.

The Business Desk

850 Nuneaton homes set for approval

Plans to create one of the biggest housing estates that Nuneaton has seen in decades is set to be given the green light next Tuesday (30 January).

Coventry Telegraph

Council agrees to loan £300m of public money to Homes for Lambeth

Lambeth Council Cabinet has agreed to loan £300 million to the newly formed Homes for Lambeth company – despite residents’ claims that there is no business plan and no explanation about how the loan will be repaid.

Brixton Buzz

New emission controls expected to help improve air quality 

Parliament has passed restrictions in air pollution from combustion plants and generators as the government looks to take action against poor air quality.

UK Government

Consultation on NPS for geological disposal infrastructure

The government has launched a consultation on whether the National Policy Statement (NPS) provides an adequate framework to make decisions on development consent applications for geological disposal infrastructure.

UK Government

Delayed £100m business park plan tipped for go-ahead

A final decision on plans to build a £100 million business park that could create more than 2,500 jobs in Worcestershire looks set to be made at the end of the month.

Insider Media 

Greater Manchester progresses plans to tackle rough sleeping

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has announced that it is working up plans to extend its Housing First programme to more than 450 places.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

SoS approves Maldon-Salcott coastal access 

The secretary of state has approved proposals that aim to improve coastal access between Maldon and Salcott.

UK Government

More than 50 Sheffield council planning decisions overturned by inspectors 

Government inspectors have overturned more than 50 decisions taken by Sheffield City Council on planning applications in the past four years, figures have suggested. 

The Star