Social Housing Speed Read: Revised National Planning Policy Framework published – but no sign of Social Housing Green Paper
6th August, 2018
In this week's Speed Read, we discuss Revised National Planning Policy Framework published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
What’s new?
The MHCLG has recently published a new framework, the first revision of the same since 2012, aimed at “Building attractive and better-designed homes in areas where they are needed”.
The revised National Planning Policy Framework changes the focus of the rules following a public consultation earlier this year, aiming to provide a “comprehensive approach for planners, developers and councils to build more homes, more quickly and in the places where people want to live”.
In short, the key ambitions of the new Framework, as published by MHCLG are:
- promoting high quality design of new homes and places;
- stronger protection for the environment;
- building the right number of homes in the right places;
- greater responsibility and accountability for housing delivery from councils and developers.
Presently, according to latest Government statistics, 217,000 homes were built last year, and the MHCLG are clear in that the new Framework will help achieve their stated aim of achieving new home growth at a rate of 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s.
MHCLG Secretary James Brokenshire MP said: “Fundamental to building the homes our country needs is ensuring that our planning system is fit for the future.
Social Housing Green Paper
However, the “wide-ranging” review into social housing announced by Sajid Javid before his departure from the MHCLG, that was expected to arrive before Parliament broke for recess this Summer, is yet to be published.
The delay may be seen by some stakeholders as potential evidence that housing, in general, may be a lesser priority for the Government against the backdrop of other Governmental challenges such as, well, Brexit.
The green paper is billed to be the “most substantial report of its kind for a generation”, is intended to “kick off a nationwide conversation on social housing – what works and what doesn’t work, what has gone right and what has gone wrong”.
But so far, it’s missing in action.
If you have any questions on the above and how it will affect social housing providers, or any other questions as a social housing provider, please do not hesitate to contact John Murray or a member of our expert Social Housing Team.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
This page may contain links that direct you to third party websites. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content, use by you or availability of those third party websites, for any products or services you buy through those sites or for the treatment of any personal information you provide to the third party.
