The Hobbs Parker Blogs

The housing minister Grant Shapps has announced plans to allow rural communities to build developments of up to 20 houses in villages (including in the green belt), without seeking planning permission from local councils.

This latest announcement forms part of the government’s ‘localist’ reforms to the planning system and would see communities voting on whether to allow such housing developments in their villages. Speaking on Radio Four’s Today programme, Shapps said that any local community referendum would have to demonstrate an 80 – 90 % majority in favour for development to go ahead. Local councils which currently decide planning issues would, under the proposed scheme, have little say beyond enforcing modern construction standards.

Mr Shapps expressed a concern over the loss of rural communities with young people not being able to afford to village in the villages that they grew up in;

“We believe that people have a right to stay in their community and if people want to build that community to make it a bit bigger and expand it a bit, within reason, they should have the powers to do that”

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) have responded to the announcement by saying that whilst they are pleased that the government is considering how to protect and enhance rural village life by delivering more affordable housing, they are concerned that;

“Bypassing the planning process is not the way to deliver it (affordable homes) and any proposals should include proper planning scrutiny”

CPRE Head of Planning Fiona Howie stated that;

“The level and location of development should be informed by a proper assessment of local housing need and an understanding of whether the local environment can accommodate more development…..this capacity should be assessed through democratic local plans and not a simple public ballot”.

Whilst the proposals to provide more affordable housing may generally be welcomed by rural communities, it is acknowledged that it could cause friction in close-knit communities and problems getting people to agree on what should be built, and where.

The announcement throws up a lot of questions and uncertainty as to how local consensus can be achieved. What is clear is that there will be a greater requirement for democratic public consultation and informative professional advice, if appropriate and balanced development is to take place within the rural communities.

The role of rural landowners will also be crucial, as, historically, housing to meet local needs in rural areas has involved bringing forward land at a significant discount normal market value for land for new housing. “There can be no doubt that identifying the most suitable sites, consulting on their acceptability, and preparing detailed proposals for an acceptable form of development will require very careful consideration, and our team of planners and surveyors experienced in rural matters will be well placed to assist both landowners and rural communities in taking proposals from inception to fruition” said David Jarman, Director, Hobbs Parker Property Consultants.

Please contact David Jarman for further information.

Posted by David Jarman