A Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) has resulted in major changes to the weight that is attached to Neighbourhood Plans, the question of housing supply and what developers must now take into account when preparing a planning application and any potential challenge to one for housing that has been refused planning permission. While most people were…
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There is some disappointment in the planning profession because the anticipated Housing White Paper failed to appear as expected on the same day as the Autumn Statement (23 November 2016). The Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, has said it will now be published in January 2017. So, we are no further forwards in respect to Starter…
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It’s always interesting to note the timing of major announcements. For instance – the Housing White Paper is due to be published on 23 November – the same day as the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. Do the powers-that-be do this in the hope that one will obscure the other? Bone of Contention We can’t be certain,…
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The planning system and process is undergoing a great number of changes, thanks to Government – and while some alterations are little more than tweaks, there are some changes that could prove more significant. New White Paper The Housing and Planning Act was passed earlier in the year, and now the Government has published the…
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Online mortgage marketplace LendInvest has recently announced that it is launching a property development academy, in order to help new home construction. Housing supply has been an issue for some time, and the fact that demand has outpaced supply has led to dramatic house price increases. Best Practice Building LendInvest plans to help to educate…
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The performance of the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has come under much scrutiny recently. About PINS But what is PINS? First and foremost it is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Welsh Government. And what does it actually do? Well, its job is to deal with planning appeals,…
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The past few weeks have seen massive political turmoil for the UK, as the referendum saw the electorate vote for us to leave the EU, and the two main parties have undergone major staffing changes. Thankfully we do now have a new PM on board to steer the ship! There are no end of experts…
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Further to our blog last month, another hot topic in the debate that led to the recent Housing and Planning Act 2016 was starter homes, ie, houses that are to be sold at prices at least 20% below market value and aimed at first-time buyers under the age of 40. To be honest, we’re not…
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A game of ping pong has been played with the Housing and Planning Bill between the House of Commons and the House of Lords in recent weeks, as the bill has gone back and forth being amended. This, of course, has caused a lot of anxiety as all this to-and and fro-ing has seriously delayed…
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Apex Planning Consultants was really pleased to help the UK’s first indoor trampoline park gain planning permission in Milton Keynes – and Bounce (MK) is now a very successful leisure business, situated opposite the Stadium:MK development. So we were delighted when the same client asked us to help them prepare a planning application for a…
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