Planning Resource (7th April) carried an interesting story regarding developer pessimism over the impact of the NPPF on planning processes, and in particular, the impact on home building. In the same article, it is reported that the majority of respondents have greater confidence in a future Conservative administration making a positive, material impact on the same issues than any other party.

This throws up some interesting paradoxes, and all the more so because those being interviewed were from house building companies and housing associations, so people that know a thing or two about on-the-ground delivery.

It was the Coalition that introduced the NPPF, and so whilst it would not be right to solely place the credit (or blame) at the door of the Conservatives, they have undoubtedly had a greater influence on its inception than the Lib Dems, and certainly more so than the collective opposition. So although most people interviewed think the NPPF has not worked, they are nonetheless more receptive to the Conservatives continuing at the helm of planning than any other.

We commented in a previous Iceni update in January 2015 that the Government was to intervene to protect public houses (Class A4) that are listed as Assets of Community Value (ACV), by removing permitted development rights for changes of use or demolition.

The wheels of government have descended into the pre-election period known as ‘purdah’ and for the first time ever, thanks to the Fixed-term Parliament Act, we have known for some time when it would begin.

In a last bid attempt to secure future housing provision and the viability of the high street before the dissolution of Parliament on Monday (30 March 2015), the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has laid down the latest update to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order, which will come into force from 15 April 2015.

Read Iceni Projects new factsheet on the who, what and where of the recent increases to housing targets in the Further Alterations to the London Plan.

The PRS sector has done a good job in quickly enshrining the Private Rental Sector model within the planning lexicon. Whilst PRS arrived on the scene just too late to feature in the NPPF, corresponding National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) has been amended to recognise that viability considerations in decision-taking should take account of the economics of PRS, with the explicit acknowledgement that the funding model differs from build for sale. Critically, the NPPG adds that PRS may require a different approach to planning obligations or an adjustment of policy requirements. This amendment to national planning policy has begun to transcend down to the local level in decision taking and in the case of London, it has been embedded into plan making in the new London Plan. It is easy to see why both Central and Local Government have committed to the model:

In a keynote speech on housing policy on Tuesday, David Cameron pledged to deliver 200,000 new starter homes by 2020 if the Conservatives win the general election in May. This would double the Coalition’s existing commitment of 100,000 starter homes.

Iceni Transport, acting on behalf of the Keephatch Consortium, helped to secure planning permission for a development comprising of up to 300 residential dwellings, up to 800 square metres of restaurant/public house (use class A3 and A4), public open space and landscaping, allotments, acoustic mitigation comprising an earth bund and acoustic fence, surface water drainage, foul water pumping stations, land reserved for a park and ride site, and Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANGs).

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has today announced the first nine Housing Zones across London.

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