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Neighbourhood plans take up edging towards maintaining status quo, research finds
The take up of neighbourhood plans, a cornerstone of the UK government’s Localism agenda, is concentrated in the south of England, according to new research. They are generally in more affluent areas within Conservative led authorities, with a mixed picture of providing for or resisting development, says the research published by planning consultancy Turley. To date, over 980 applications have been made by neighbourhood organisations for formal approval to draw up a neighbourhood plan. Of these, over 750 areas have been approved by local authorities to proceed. The research also shows that 75 neighbourhood plans have been published for consultation, but only six Neighbourhood Plans were formally in place at the end of February 2014. Of those plans published, 73% have been produced in areas with Conservative led councils, with just 9% having been produced in areas which are Labour controlled and 75% of all published plans have been produced in the south of England. The Turley research also highlights that areas of below average affluence have so far been less involved in the neighbourhood planning processes, with just nine plans published in areas categorised as ‘most deprived’. ‘We have reviewed over 4,000 pages of draft neighbourhood plans and a clear picture is emerging. The preparation of neighbourhood plans is popular but is being recognised more by communities in the south of England compared to the North. It also appears that less affluent communities are not yet engaging fully in the neighbourhood planning process,’ said Rob Peters, executive director in Turley’s Bristol office who led the research. The research found that, of the plans published so far, the smallest population of a neighbourhood plan area is Walton in Wakefield in West Yorkshire, representing just 225 people. The largest is Winsford in Cheshire representing over 30,000 people, highlighting the difference in size, scale and geography of the plans. Some 67% of all published plans cover rural neighbourhoods and one third relate to urban areas while 55% of all neighbourhood plans seek primarily to resist new development, with that number increasing to 63% in rural areas. ‘I am not yet convinced that neighbourhood planning is an emphatic success or that the plans are making satisfactory provision for development, as the government has suggested, when so few plans have been made (i.e. adopted),’ said Peters. He pointed out that neighbourhood plans have been stalling in their progress to adoption with adjourned examinations in Winslow, Aylesbury Vale, rejections by Examiners in Slaugham, and legal challenges in Tattenhall, Cheshire. ‘The picture that emerges from the published neighbourhood plans is one of the majority seeking to maintain the status quo and restricting new development, with a smaller minority of plans encouraging growth. This suggests a potential for conflict between localism delivered through neighbourhood planning and the positive presumptions and growth that underpin Government policy,’ he added. The Turley research recognises that neighbourhood forums can provide a useful route to achieve meaningful engagement, but in some cases the views of land owners and… Continue reading
Landlord confidence in UK triples in last 12 months
Landlords’ confidence in the UK’s financial markets has tripled over the last year, according to research from the National Landlords Association (NLA). Just under a third, 31%, of landlords rate their expectations of the UK’s financial markets as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ in the coming months, a rise of 21% from the same point last year. In addition, 27% of landlords say they plan to acquire property over the next 12 months but their perceived buoyancy is tempered by the finding that moderate rises to interest rates would put pressure on their ability to meet mortgage repayments. Just over a fifth, 21%, of landlords say keeping up mortgage payments would be difficult with interest rate rises of just two per cent. Some 35% would struggle to keep up payments with a rise of 2.5%, and 41% with a rise of 3%. The Bank of England recently outlined that interest rates will remain at the current low of 0.5%, with the first rate increases likely to happen in late 2015. ‘Landlord optimism around the UK’s financial recovery, coupled with the Bank of England’s announcement makes good reading for anyone considering buy to let investment. This is evidenced by the significant number of landlords who will be looking to add property to their portfolios over the coming months,’ said Carolyn Uphill, chairman of the NLA. ‘However, it’s inevitable that interest rates will rise as the economy improves and we move out of recession and our findings show that moderate increases would leave many landlords stretched in meeting their mortgage repayments,’ she pointed out. ‘Anyone thinking about buy to let investment should do so with a view to long term sustainability, and vital to this is adopting a professional approach to your lettings business,’ she added. Continue reading
New development body to be created to oversee thousands of new homes in West London
Ambitious plans to transform one of the most deprived parts of London into a thriving new district with up to 24,000 new homes have moved a step closer, it has been announced. City Hall is about to enter detailed negotiations with three local authorities in order to create a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) that will drive the comprehensive regeneration of a 195 acre semi industrial site at Old Oak Common, West London. The Mayor's office has now published draft key objectives and powers for the MDC, together with its proposed boundary. The Mayor's team will shortly meet with Hammersmith and Fulham, Brent and Ealing councils in order to agree these details so that the MDC can best maximise the enormous benefits that are linked to the construction of a super hub High Speed 2 (HS2) and Crossrail Station that is due to be constructed by 2026. Research from the Mayor's Office indicates that the regeneration scheme could be worth up to £6.2 billion for the London economy, with the potential for Old Oak to supply up to 2.5% of the Greater London housing requirement. ‘The arrival of Crossrail and HS2 will lead to the creation of an entirely new city quarter for London, if we get the design and transport links right. By working with the three local authorities, we will be able to best maximise this once in a lifetime opportunity to spark widespread economic and social regeneration to a part of the city that is in desperate need of major improvement,’ said Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. ‘This advance planning will ensure we generate significant benefits for Londoners especially for people in the local area, which includes much needed new homes and jobs,’ he added. The MDC will look to unlock the enormous regeneration potential of Old Oak Common in a targeted approach to emulate the success of the London Legacy Development Corporation that continues to lead the post-Olympic regeneration of Stratford and East London. The proposed HS2/Crossrail station will be the same size as Waterloo, with the capacity to handle 250,000 passengers a day, and link the two largest infrastructure projects in the UK. It would also have direct access to Europe via HS1 (Eurostar), with Paris just over two hours away. Councillor Nicholas Botterill, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, said that HS2 has the potential to act as a catalyst to create much needed new homes, jobs and opportunities in one of London's poorest areas. ‘Development in the area would transform Old Oak Common, bringing thousands of jobs and new homes, and would bring long lasting benefits for our borough residents,’ he added. Proposals to create an MDC are also subject to public consultation and approval from the London Assembly and Secretary of State. It is hoped that the MDC… Continue reading
