Development and regeneration England/Wales

   

Planning

• 9 June 2008

  Planning Partnership guide to speed up new large scale developments A new guide to speed up planning partnerships between councils and developers has been published by Planning Minister, Iain Wright

   

• 4 June 2008

  Local Development Frameworks streamlining Summary of responses to consultation

   

• 3 June 2008

  Blears boosts planning aid giving everyone the right to be heard Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced a major expansion of Planning Aid, to ensure that people have the advice, skills and professional support they need to have a proper voice in the planning process

   

• 19 May 2008

  Experts challenge developers to raise their game on eco-towns Fourteen leading experts will today challenge developers to improve their visions for eco-towns and deliver world class proposals for the first new towns in the UK for 45 years

   

• 8 April 2008

  Building Sustainable Transport into New Developments: A menu of options for growth points and eco-towns This Department for Transport document is aimed at all those involved in the planning, design and construction of new housing developments. It sets out advice on how to build an effective sustainable transport system in new developments, from the planning to the implementation stage. It recommends a variety of transport options to integrate and adopt according to the location and needs of the individual

   

• 8 April 2008

  Eco-Towns: Living a greener future - Consultation paper On the 3rd of April, Housing Minister Caroline Flint, announced 15 potential locations that will go forward to the next stage for developing the new Eco-Towns. This is the first stage of the process and they will now be consulted on with the public, local authorities and wider stakeholders and will have a detailed Sustainability Appraisal which will assess the merits and challenges for each one. A final shortlist of locations will be published later this year, after which each potential eco-town will need to submit a planning application This consultation seeks the public's views on the vision for eco-towns and the shortlisted locations proposed. The consultation ends on the 30th June 2008

   

• 8 April 2008

  Eco-Towns Prospectus This prospectus outlines the Government's eco-towns strategy. Eco-towns will be small new towns of at least 5,000-20,000 homes. They are intended to exploit the potential to create a complete new settlement to achieve zero-carbon development and more sustainable living using the best new design and architecture

   

• 8 April 2008

  Community Infrastructure Fund - Round 2 Bidding Guidance This document gives guidance to local authorities that wish to bid for funding from the community infrastructure fund. The fund is designed to complement mainstream transport funding, uniquely linking the provision of funding for transport infrastructure to the delivery of housing Additional files: Visit website

   

• 25 March 2008

  An end to the waiting game for planning decisions A new red tape busting review to weed out bureaucratic hurdles and create a more efficient planning service for the public and business, has been launched by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, Business Secretary John Hutton and Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint

   

• 19 March 2008

  The Future of Building Control: Consultation paper CLG consultation paper which sets out and seeks views on proposals by Government for changes to the building control system in England and Wales

   

• 6 March 2008

  Securing the Future Supply of Brownfield Land Government Response to English Partnerships' Recommendations

   

• 29 February 2008

  The Code for Sustainable Homes: Setting the standard in sustainability for new homes The Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) was introduced to improve the overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single national standard within which the home building industry can design and construct homes to higher environmental standards and offers a tool for developers to differentiate themselves within the market. This document sets out the assessment process and the performance standards required for the Code

   

• 29 February 2008

  Consultation paper on new planning policy statement 4: planning for sustainable economic development CLG consultation paper

   

• 25 February 2008

  Sulfate damage to concrete floors on sulfate-bearing hardcore: Identification and remediation The incorrect identification of sulfate bearing hardcore together with inappropriate advice on how to rectify any problems has caused considerable hardship to many home owners. CLG publication helps to address the lack of practical guidance on the subject of the previous use of contaminated hardcore as a fill material

   

• 5 February 2008

  Housing Corporation Circular 01/08 - The General Consent This Circular announces the issue of the General Consent 2008 incorporated in the booklet Disposing of Land 2008

   

• 28 January 2008

  Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings CLG guide to energy performance certificates

   

• 28 January 2008

  The Community Infrastructure Levy CLG guide on new powers for councils to set charges to pay for infrastructure on new development

   

• 15 January 2008

  The Compulsory Purchase (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 2007 CLG circular 01/2008

   

• 19 December 2007

  Consultation Paper on new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Development The new PPS on Planning for Sustainable Economic Development sets out how planning bodies should, in the wider context of delivering sustainable development, positively plan for sustainable economic growth and respond to the challenges of the global economy, in their plan policies and planning decisions. Closing date for consultation is 17 March 2008

   

• 6 December 2007

  Housing and Regeneration Bill Network briefing by Gwyneth Taylor outlines the key provisions of the Bill together with the implications for social housing providers

   

• 6 December 2007

  New funding for community infrastructure Councils and communities which back new homes will get extra help with infrastructure, Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper announced today as she set out the allocation of £732m to local councils in the Growth Areas and Growth Points for services like transport, schools, health centres and parks. The new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) proposed in the Planning Bill could also fund £100ms, nationally

   

• 30 November 2007

  Planning Performance Agreements: A New Way to Manage Large-Scale Major Planning Applications Government response to consultation replies

   

• 28 November 2007

  The Planning Bill The Planning Bill was introduced on Tuesday 27 November. The legislation builds on the proposals set out in the Planning White Paper and introduces a new system for nationally significant infrastructure planning, alongside further reforms to the town and country planning system

   

• 28 November 2007

  Planning White Paper Consultation Government Response to Consultation Replies This document summarises the results of the consultation on the White Paper and sets out the Government's response to the main points made. The Government's overall response on key issues emerging from the consultation on the Planning White Paper and next steps in relation to the Planning Bill

   

• 7 November 2007

  Housing and planning key facts: October 2007 This quick reference leaflet is published quarterly and contains a snapshot of the main housing and planning data. Detailed housing and planning data may be found in the live tables

   

• 11 October 2007

  Planning reform Speech by Yvette Cooper, Minister for Housing, attending Cabinet

   

• 9 August 2007

  Planning for a sustainable future Network briefing by Sheila Camp covers issues raised within the White Paper Planning for a sustainable future published 21 May 2007

   

• 1 August 2007

  Land use change in England: Residential development to 2006 - update July 2007 Updated information on residential development in England and the density of new dwellings, including the updated 2006 estimates of proportion of new dwellings provided on previously developed land. Information is provided regionally

   

• 24 July 2007

  Strategic housing land availability assessment: practice guidance This guidance explains how local authorities and their partners must carrying out an assessment of land availability for housing, over a 15 year period, in their areas as outlined in Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing

   

• 24 July 2007

  Planning Policy Statement: planning and climate change A public consultation exercise was carried out by CLG on the draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS): planning and climate change. A total of 324 responses from different organisations were received and the analysis of these is contained in this report

   

• 8 June 2007

  National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) - Building Awareness for the Future The National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) has been established in response to Kate Barker’s Review of Housing Supply (2004)

   

• 21 May 2007

  Planning for a Sustainable Future The Government have now published the planning White Paper, Planning for a Sustainable Future. The White Paper sets out an ambitious programme of proposed reforms to the planning system to be taken forward in the next three years. These reforms will, for the first time, embrace all development consent regimes, including those for major energy, water, transport and waste development, as well as the town and country planning system. This consultation document asks questions on a number of the key proposals contained in the White Paper and other issues. Consultation period 21 May – 17 August 2007

   

• 21 May 2007

  Government response to the Lifting the Burdens Task Force report on Housing and Planning CLG publication which sets out the Government's response to each of the recommendations in the first report by the Lifting the Burdens Task Force on housing and planning burdens imposed by the Department for Communities and Local Government

   

• 21 May 2007

  Planning for a Sustainable Future: White Paper The White Paper sets out the Governments detailed proposals for reform of the planning system, building on Kate Barker’s recommendations for improving the speed, responsiveness and efficiency in land use planning, and taking forward Kate Barker’s and Rod Eddington’s proposals for reform of major infrastructure planning

   

• 18 May 2007

  Strategic housing market assessment guide CLG practice guidance which sets out a framework that local authorities and regional bodies can follow to develop a good understanding of how housing markets operate

   

• 11 May 2007

  Planning for Housing: Market Signals - Summary of Research CLG report summarises the results of the research that followed the proposal that local and regional planning should be more responsive to market signals in allocating and releasing land for housing

   

• 11 May 2007

  Identifying Submarkets at the Sub-Regional Level in England CLG research puts forward a method for improving measurement and understanding of sub-regional housing markets

   

• 3 April 2007

  An introduction to growth areas London Housing Federation briefing to help untangle the policies introduced by John Prescott in 2003 to help meet surging housing demand in London and the South East

   

• 23 February 2007

  Residential Gypsy sites in Beauty Drive, Camilla Drive, Oak Place, Oak Lane and Swallow Court, Crays Hill, Billericay, Essex Decision on seven appeals against refusal of planning permission.

   

• 6 December 2006

  Barker Review of Land Use Planning: Final Report - Recommendations The Government announced in the 2005 Pre-Budget Report that Kate Barker has been asked to lead an independent review of land use planning, focusing on the link between planning and economic growth. The final report for the review is now published.

   

• 4 December 2006

  Preparing Design Codes - A Practice Manual Communities and Local Government, working in partnership with CABE, have commissioned this practice guide to form the basis for a clear understanding of the role of design codes and to provide direction for those who will use them

   

• 30 November 2006

  Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3) DCLG policy statement on the delivery of the Government’s strategic housing policy objectives which sets out how the planning system supports the growth in housing completions needed in England. PPS3 replaces Planning Policy Guidance 3: Housing (PPG3)

   

• 30 November 2006

  Delivering Affordable Housing DCLG document published with PPS3 to support local authorities and other key players in delivering more high quality affordable housing. Outlines the policy challenge and delivery mechanisms available (providers, products, funding)

   

• 30 November 2006

  Consultation on PPS3: Housing - Summary of responses and key issues This summary sets out and analyses the responses received to the consultation paper on the draft Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3)

   

• 8 November 2006

  New National Housing and Planning Advice Unit Set Up A National Housing and Planning Advice Unit has been established by the Government to provide independent advice on improving housing market affordability and will help strengthen the housing market evidence base and analysis currently available to the regional planning bodies, to help ensure that new homes identified in regional plans have a positive impact in improving housing affordability

   

• 8 November 2006

  Good Enforcement Practice Outlined New guidance for local authorities on how to take planning enforcement action is now published in a Review of Planning Enforcement. The review showed strong support among respondents for the current statutory framework for enforcement and recommended that enforcement should remain at the discretion of local authorities

   

• 16 August 2006

  Model planning obligation (section 106) agreement Updated model agreement produced by Law Society for DCLG

   

 

HC grant

• 13 August 2007

  Housing Green Paper: financial briefing for local authorities and providers Network briefing by Steve Partridge examines the financial implications of the Green Paper

   

• 5 October 2006

  Housing Corporation capital funding guide - October 2006 Contains the rules and procedures for Housing Associations that have received capital grants/allocations from the housing corporation

   

• 5 October 2006

  Housing Corporation consults On it's proposals to improve the efficiency of grant administration relating to the Right to Manage (RtM) grant programme

   

• 27 September 2006

  Northern housing sector shows a real appetite for innovation Housing Corporation News Release - The Corporation’s Northern Housing Challenge closed last week, attracting 73 entries totalling over £200m

   

• 13 July 2006

  Self Build for Outright Ownership Procedure Guide This Guide sets out the current criteria and procedures to be followed by self build societies applying to the Housing Corporation for schemes for outright ownership

   

 

Regeneration

• 22 May 2008

  New housing and jobs for Yorkshire and Humber A twenty year vision to deliver new houses, tackle climate change, encourage economic growth and regeneration of the Yorkshire and Humber region has been published by Communities Minister Baroness Andrews

   

• 12 May 2008

  Housing and jobs boost for East of England A new twenty year vision to deliver badly needed housing, infrastructure and new jobs for the East of England has been published by Communities Minister, Parmjit Dhanda. The revised Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) will deliver a vision for continuing growth and spreading prosperity to all communities in the East of England in a planned and sustainable way over the next two decades

   

• 8 May 2008

  Gateway to jobs and homes for thousands of east enders A major new package of investment in housing, jobs, infrastructure, community facilities and green spaces is set to rejuvenate areas of east London and transform the lives of people living there, announced Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint

   

• 8 April 2008

  Challenges, Interventions and Change: An overview of neighbourhood renewal in six New Deal for Communities areas This report presents the findings of research on neighbourhood renewal in six New Deal for Communities programme areas. It looks at why and how changes at the local level have occurred

   

• 8 April 2008

  Delivering Safer Neighbourhoods: Experiences from the New Deal for Communities Programme This report presents findings from research on crime and community safety in the New Deal for Communities programme

   

• 8 April 2008

  Displacement of Crime or Diffusion of Benefit: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities programme The Government has assisted deprived neighbourhoods through the New Deal for Communities (NDC) Programme, launched in 1998. It is designed to encourage delivery of local services in a coordinated way to meet local needs, and aims to narrow the gap between these 39 areas and the rest of the country. This report is based on analysis of crime data in NDCs and their immediate surrounding areas, to find out what effect crime patterns within NDCs have had on crime in surrounding areas

   

• 28 February 2008

  Distribution of £1bn funding for Housing Market Renewal Programme announced The government has announced the regional distribution of more than £1bn to revitalise the housing market in key areas and restore stable communities

   

• 26 February 2008

  The Big Picture Network briefing by Chloe Fletcher highlights the main policy changes over the past year and outlines what it will mean for housing providers in the coming few years

   

• 13 February 2008

  New Deal for Communities is turning around England’s most deprived areas The Government's £2bn New Deal for Communities programme is delivering real improvements to people's lives, raising satisfaction, and bridging the gap between some our most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of England, according to a new independent report

   

• 29 January 2008

  New Deal for Communities: A Synthesis of New Programme Wide Evidence:2006-07 Latest output from 10year evaluation of NDC programme shows encouraging improvements on place based outcomes but a slower rate of improvement on people based outcomes. The NDC programme provides good learning experience for neighbourhood regeneration.

   

• 14 January 2008

  New agency will have key regeneration role The Government have set out more details of the work of the Agency which will play a key role in delivering the 3m new homes by 2020 pledged by the Prime Minister – the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

   

• 4 January 2008

  Taking Forward the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration CLG document which provides an update on progress in implementing the SNR in advance of a full consultation document which will be published early in 2008. It sets out the progress that has been made since publication of the SNR and the next steps, including consultation early in 2008 on the new regional strategies, the proposed new economic assessment duty on local authorities and a range of related issues

   

• 6 December 2007

  Housing and Regeneration Bill Network briefing by Gwyneth Taylor outlines the key provisions of the Bill together with the implications for social housing providers

   

• 31 August 2007

  The Commission on Integration and Cohesion report: Our shared future Network briefing by Vanessa Morton outlines the report's themes and highlights the main recommendations on housing

   

• 13 June 2007

  United stand The Guardian previews the report of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion that is due to be published tomorrow

   

• 17 April 2007

  Coastal towns - The House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee Report Briefing by Vannessa Morton for housing policy makers and practitioners in coastal areas, covering housing issues, which figure strongly in the report, and covering some of the fundamental issues it raises about the nature of these towns’ economies, housing markets and regeneration

   

• 3 April 2007

  An introduction to growth areas London Housing Federation briefing to help untangle the policies introduced by John Prescott in 2003 to help meet surging housing demand in London and the South East

   

• 20 March 2007

  The Single Regeneration Budget: final evaluation research summary Summary report of the final evaluation of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB). The study evaluates how SRB worked in practice and assesses its achievements against the original programme objectives. The summary also considers how SRB relates to current policy and the lessons that should be incorporated into new programmes

   

• 13 March 2007

  Investment for new affordable homes in Dumfries & Galloway Communities Minister, Rhona Brankin, has announced a record £13 million investment for affordable housing in Dumfries and Galloway over the next year

   

• 19 January 2007

  Partner wanted to deliver affordable housing in three key strategic sites in Cambridge A groundbreaking new pilot programme aimed at changing the way affordable housing is delivered in Cambridge has been launched in a new document setting out details about the Housing Corporation's Cambridge Challenge pilot.

   

• 18 January 2007

  New future for the Housing Corporation opens up The Government’s announcement proposing a new agency set to boost regeneration and housing delivery was welcomed by Housing Corporation Chairman Peter Dixon.

   

• 12 January 2007

  Housing market renewal: latest Audit Commission findings Network briefing by Janis Bright examines the latest evidence from the Audit Commission on the pathfinders' progress

   

• 9 January 2007

  Local Community Sector Taskforce (LCST) Report This report presents the findings of the Local Community Sector Taskforce which was commissioned: "to ensure that central, regional and local government put in place a framework which allows neighbourhood and community groups to manage the wind-down of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) and to ensure there are opportunities for them to access the range of substantial sums of Government investment available."

   

• 29 December 2006

  Edwina Hart announces £25m housing renewal aid Communities across Wales in need of regeneration will receive more than £25 million in housing renewal aid from the Welsh Assembly Government

   

• 17 November 2006

  Market renewal pathfinders A best value report of an inspection by the Audit Commission of Gateway Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire market renewal.

   

• 1 November 2006

  £33.7m Boost to Hull's Regeneration Regeneration in Hull got a boost today as Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper announced £33.7m for the Gateway Pathfinder scheme over the next two years

   

• 11 October 2006

  The role of the third sector in social and economic regeneration The National Housing Federation's response to HM Treasury's ongoing review of the role of the third sector in social and economic regeneration

   

• 31 August 2006

  One million new homes could be built on brownfield land DCLG News Release - New statistics published today show that existing stocks of available "brownfield" land could accommodate up to one million new homes

   

• 4 August 2006

  Entries invited to BURA's Awards for Community Inspired Regeneration These awards celebrate best practice in community inspired and led in regeneration in urban and rural areas accross the United Kingdom

   

• 24 July 2006

  Housing Corporation agrees terms to build subsidised affordable homes in England George Wimpey, one of the country's leading house builders, has agreed the final terms on a contract to secure funding from the Housing Corporation

   

• 24 July 2006

  Able Authorities? The Disability Discrimination Act, disabled people and local authorities in England This report sets out findings and learning points from research examining how well local authorities in England were performing in terms of addressing disability issues in relation to their core activities

   

• 24 July 2006

  Formative Evaluation of the Take-Up and Implementation of the Well Being Power This annual report details interim research findings from the ongoing evaluation of the take-up and implementation of the Well Being Power by local authorities

   

 

Development standards

• 3 July 2008

  Buildings in England and Wales score an average ‘C’ energy rating Commercial buildings are scoring an average 'C' energy rating, according to early results from the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to the commercial sector

   

• 30 June 2008

  New research reveals public support for the development of eco-towns by a ratio of 5:1 New research released by Housing Minister Caroline Flint reveals current support for the development of eco-towns among the general public outnumbers opposition by a ratio of 5:1. The research is published as the consultation process around the government's vision for the country's first eco-towns starts its next phase

   

• 13 June 2008

  Councils must use powers to protect new homes from flood risk Councils must get tough on protecting people in flood risk areas Minister for Housing, Caroline Flint, announced

   

• 29 May 2008

  Land Use Change Statistics (England) 2007 - provisional estimates The latest national statistics on Land Use Change were released under the auspices of the UK Statistics Authority on 29 May 2008

   

• 1 May 2008

  Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) Annual Report 2007 This is the eight annual report on the advisory work carried out by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) in 2007

   

• 18 April 2008

  Code for Sustainable Homes: Technical guide – April 2008 Updated CLG guidance manual to national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes which sets out the requirements for the Code, and the process by which a Code assessment is reached

   

• 9 April 2008

  Twelve experts sign up for eco towns challenge Twelve experts from the worlds of design, the environment, transport and sustainability have signed up to join the Eco-towns Challenge and play a key role in shaping the future of the biggest new towns programme in the UK for 40 years. Their role will be to maximise the potential for eco-town development in shortlisted locations by both encouraging bidders to develop and improve their vision for eco-town development and injecting new thinking on how eco-towns could best be delivered in each of the short-listed locations

   

• 19 March 2008

  The Future of Building Control: Consultation paper CLG consultation paper which sets out and seeks views on proposals by Government for changes to the building control system in England and Wales

   

• 14 March 2008

  Budget will help first-time buyers with new home loans Thousands of first-time buyers and key workers could see their purchasing power boosted by up to 50 per cent with new home loans announced in the Budget

   

• 14 March 2008

  Building for life - a toolkit to promote quality design Housing Corporation website toolkit, aimed at architects and developers, provides guidance on how to assess a scheme using the Building for Life criteria

   

• 29 February 2008

  The Code for Sustainable Homes: Setting the standard in sustainability for new homes The Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) was introduced to improve the overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single national standard within which the home building industry can design and construct homes to higher environmental standards and offers a tool for developers to differentiate themselves within the market. This document sets out the assessment process and the performance standards required for the Code

   

• 29 February 2008

  Consultation paper on new planning policy statement 4: planning for sustainable economic development CLG consultation paper

   

• 28 February 2008

  Quality of life, not just quantity of homes Speech by the Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP - Minister for Housing

   

• 22 February 2008

  The Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) - Member's Handbook The BRAC Member's Handbook contains details about the role and responsibilities of BRAC members and includes a Code of Practice for Members, which refers to such matters as conflicts of interest and dealing with media enquiries. This replaces the version which was published in November 2006.

   

• 20 November 2007

  The Future of the Code for Sustainable Homes - Making a Rating Mandatory: Summary of Responses This document provides a summary of responses to the July 2007 consultation on this proposal and sets out the Government's final policy. The principle message is that as a result of consultation, the Government will be proceeding with the implementation of mandatory rating against the Code for all new homes

   

• 5 November 2007

  Designing green towns of the future Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has confirmed th