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Are you feeling Merry or are you a Christmas Grump?\u00a0 Here\u2019s a Planning Policy present for you, which might turn you into one or the other, depending on your perspective.<\/p>\nAre you feeling Merry or are you a Christmas Grump?\u00a0 Here\u2019s a Planning Policy present for you, which might turn you into one or the other, depending on your perspective.<\/p>\n
The label on this present reads, \u201cTo everyone (including the homeless)\u201d.<\/p>\n
The wrapping paper has houses interspersed with Christmas trees.\u00a0 When you tear it open at first glance it looks like another boring present written by the Government.\u00a0 But wait.\u00a0 The title comes into view and it reads, \u201cChanges to National Planning Policy\u201d.\u00a0 Could this possibly be a GOOD READ?<\/p>\n
The author appears to be the Person-In-Charge, Greg Clark.\u00a0 Greg\u2019s last work was the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which took the country by storm and is still making waves 3 years on.\u00a0 Greg has since been promoted to Secretary of State and now has a powerful positon in the Cabinet.\u00a0 Perhaps his sequel might be even more thrilling?<\/p>\n
Opening the cover, it appears that the focus is on delivering more housing.\u00a0 Perhaps good news for the next generation.\u00a0 And perhaps good news for those wanting more suitable housing to downsize into.<\/p>\n
The gold is a new definition of affordable housing, expanding it beyond traditional housing association properties to include discounted housing that can be bought and sold on the open market.\u00a0 This is a path to a house for those who can\u2019t currently afford one.<\/p>\n
Gold does not make a Christmas, so let\u2019s widen the analogy.\u00a0 In Bethlehem the kings brought to the stable gifts of gold, frankincense (a very expensive holy, fragrance) and myrrh (used in burials).\u00a0 A bit of a hint of trouble ahead, perhaps?<\/p>\n
The frankincense here turns out to be a push for higher density housing \u2018hotspots\u2019 around commuter hubs.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure if this will smell better from fewer cars, or worse from public transport fumes\u2026. The National Planning Policy Framework Changes also include new towns and new villages.\u00a0 Perhaps the Government have in mind a New Jerusalem in England\u2019s Green and Pleasant Land?<\/p>\n
The myrrh is represented by a resurrection for brownfield land, by introducing a strong \u2018presumption in favour\u2019 of any housing re-development on brownfield sites.\u00a0 New life for old places.\u00a0 However it may also lead to deliberate killing-off to create \u2018brownfield\u2019 sites on business premises.<\/p>\n
The document also talks about allowing small schemes of up to 10 houses on windfall sites, including sites immediately adjacent to settlement boundaries. \u00a0This could be another lump of gold, but might equally turn into a lump of coal for the New Year.<\/p>\n
Christmas started in a stable.\u00a0 Let\u2019s hope this is Good News for everyone who likewise finds themselves struggling to find a decent place to live.<\/p>\n
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<\/p>\n
Helen Howie<\/p>\n