housing
Big builders exploiting loophole to push greenfield developments through on appeal, CPRE research shows
Tuesday 13 June 2023
Deep-pocketed developers are winning on appeal against cash-strapped councils by exploiting a planning loophole Individuals and firms proposing small-scale projects have far less chance of successfully challenging planning decisions – the system appears weighted in favour of big builders Major developments on greenfield land use the ‘five-year housing land supply’ rule to override Local Plans […] Read more >
Campaign success as planning changes give more power to communities
Thursday 8 December 2022
The government has set out new measures in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that give communities more say on local housing targets, as well as encouraging brownfield development and controlling short-term lets. Commenting on the government’s vital changes to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, Tom Fyans, interim chief executive of CPRE, the countryside […] Read more >
Abberton housing plans backed by councillors
Monday 3 October 2022
Abberton is to have 55 new homes after two joint planning applications were approved. Colchester Borough Council gave outline permission for the schemes from Mersea Homes at two sites close to Langenhoe primary school. The application had been deferred in June by the council’s planning committee so safety concerns could be addressed, but extra conditions […] Read more >
Petition: change the housing methodology that’s costing us greenfield land
Wednesday 4 May 2022
There can’t be many of us who are unaware of the government’s ‘standard methodology’ that is artificially inflating the numbers of houses to be built on greenfield sites. Many local authorities are being forced to remove protection from large areas of countryside when in truth there is no need. In response, a petition has been […] Read more >
Developers cut number of homes in Bocking housing plan
Thursday 26 August 2021
A revised scheme for housing in Bocking has been submitted to Braintree District Council. Eastlight Community Homes and George Tanner (Shalford) had sought planning permission for 86 new homes south of Bovingdon Road in 2019 but withdrew their bid upon learning that council officers had recommended the scheme be refused. Now, the developers have dropped […] Read more >
Demonstrable five-year housing supply not enough to block village housing scheme
Wednesday 25 August 2021
The Planning Inspectorate has overturned a decision by an Essex council to refuse a 120-home development in Rayne. Braintree District Council had denied outline planning permission for the scheme by Acorn Braintree, but the developer appealed to the inspectorate, which subsequently overruled the local authority. The development site, behind Gilda Terrace, off Rayne Road, was […] Read more >
Final approval granted for 300 new homes in Coggeshall
Tuesday 24 August 2021
The final go-ahead to build 300 homes in Coggeshall has been given by Braintree District Council. The local authority had granted Bovis Homes permission in 2019 for the Colchester Road development, which includes a community centre, but the details of the scheme have now been approved unanimously by its planning committee. People in the village […] Read more >
Raft of objections fails to block Harlow housing scheme
Tuesday 22 June 2021
THIRTY-FIVE homes are to be built at Harlow’s Purford Green, despite the site not being earmarked for development in the Local Plan and the application drawing 29 objections. The new properties will be on fields formerly used by Purford Green junior school. Among a range of concerns, objectors cited loss of open space, the fact […] Read more >
Epping Forest fails to hit government housing targets but it’s a complex state of affairs
Friday 5 March 2021
Fewer than half the houses demanded by the government have been built in Epping Forest district over the last three years. The Housing Delivery Test had required Epping Forest District Council to ‘deliver’ 2,468 homes between 2017 and 2020 – however, just 1,213 were built, equating to 49 per cent of the target. The figures […] Read more >
Builder wins appeal for 150 new homes in Saffron Walden
Tuesday 9 February 2021
A developer has won an appeal to build 150 homes in Saffron Walden. The scheme, east of Thaxted Road, had been refused by Uttlesford District Council in February last year as the local authority said it did not provide sufficient green and amenity space. It was also unhappy with the siting of the play area. […] Read more >