Housing and Regeneration News Aug/Sept 2007

Council planning departments will be funded according to how many new homes are built in their area. New Government proposals want councils to turn down fewer applications because homes aren’t needed, and more because of quality of design. This is part of the Governments Housing green paper which includes £8billion for social housing from 2008-11, 14 pilots of community land trusts, 14 pilots of local housing companies and alternatives to the Planning Gain Supplement.
The South-East England Regional Housing Board is inviting councils to bid for a share of £80million to improve poor conditions in the region’s homes. Bids should be received by the 14th October. Private Sector Renewal Funding is available on our publications section.
The National Audit Office has warned that the 2012 Olympics legacy could drive costs higher than the £9 billion currently estimated. The report says that the games are now on a firmer footing thanks to the budget announcement in March 2007, but the Department must still work to constrain funding and achieve value for money. The report recommends a statement of deliverables detailing the venues, infrastructure and legacy benefits expected from the £9.3 billion budget. For more information see The Budget for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
An inquiry has been launched by the Communities and Local Government Select Committee to examine the contribution the current housing stock makes to UK carbon emissions, and look at how to improve efficiency. For details visit www.parliament.uk/cigcom
According to figures published by the National Housing Federation, house prices could rise by as much as 40% by 2012. The report also states that the housing squeeze is no longer restricted to the South, with three times the current housing completions being needed in England’s three Northern regions. For more information see Home Truths on our publications section.