The Bulletin
Each week we put together our top picks of the real estate and the built environment stories you might have missed, on the issues that matter.
In case you missed it
1. Nine things you need to know about the government’s new environmental assessment proposals
Planning Resource has a useful rundown of the key components of the government’s consultation proposals about environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments.
2. Modular construction uptake hindered by planning system
Speaking with MMC trade bodies and experts, and delving into some case studies, Property Week. The key blockers highlighted for modular construction are planning reform, educational open days, and investment.
3. Government delays introduction of Infrastructure Levy by a decade
The government has decided to delay the full introduction of its proposed new Infrastructure Levy by up to 10 years, causing some to question whether the policy will ever see the light of day. Building Magazine has the full story.
4. Retrofit is key to avoiding climate disaster, says latest IPCC report
The UK government must act now to decarbonise the built environment and avoid climate disaster. Other key adaptation and mitigation strategies included reducing energy consumption and the ‘co-location of housing and jobs’ in cities. Architects’ Journal delves into the story.
5. Campaigners fear loophole will let new homes in England be fitted with gas boilers
A loophole being considered for the forthcoming future homes standard would allow new homes to be fitted with “hydrogen-ready” boilers. However, experts say these are functionally not much different from standard gas boilers. The Guardian has the detail.
The week ahead
How has building safety standards in the sector changed since the Grenfell Tower tragedy?
Government figures at the end of October 2022 indicated that 100% (160) of social sector high-rise buildings have either completed or started remediation.
Join this Inside Housing webinar to hear from landlords who tackled large remediation works, compliance directors, building safety managers and the Regulator on how the sector has changed and how this will continue for the future.
Parliamentary business
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities provide funding to help councils recruit and develop skilled planners
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has provided councils with a £1 million funding boost via the social enterprise Public Practice to help them recruit and develop skilled planners, speed up property development and create better neighbourhoods.
Minister for Housing and Planning, Rachel Maclean said:
“Planning plays such an important role in shaping our neighbourhoods, making sure we have the right housing and infrastructure to level up the nation. It is essential that our planning authorities have the skills and resources they need and today’s funding will make sure the sector is better equipped to deliver a quality service for local communities.”
Tweets of the week
Picked up by Telegraph: Sales of new homes are expected to plunge by more than 50,000 a year as onerous planning regulations and turmoil in the market take their toll on development. New build could fall from 145,000 to 90,000 a year, according to Savills. https://t.co/9YW3elMrQo
— Peter Bill (@peterproperty) March 18, 2023
The collapse of the long term private rented sector into Airbnb has resulted in a huge housing crisis in Cumbria.
Glad to secure the commitment from the Secretary of State for Housing and Levelling Up today to work with me and other MPs to change planning law to fix this. pic.twitter.com/kE5dPtTPnS
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) March 21, 2023
