Following the Queen’s Speech yesterday, laid out by Prince Charles, there are changes afoot in the property sector. Of major note is the ability for local residents to have a much greater say over—or even veto—what’s being built around them.
Michael Gove’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will allow for ‘street votes’ in respect of loft conversions, conservatories, and extensions, which can then be built without planning permission if a third or more neighbours don’t object. The aim is to avoid residents having, in the words of Tory MP John Penrose, “unwanted development thrust down their throats”, and to deliver larger local support and participation in development.
Government also aims to take from developers’ vast profits in order to provide schooling, roads, GP surgeries, etc. as an incentive to impress and involve locals with their plans. The community will be allowed to lay down rules, or ‘local design codes’, such as layouts and materials, giving more power and a louder voice to the people. Small builders will be exempt from certain planning fees.
The creation of more homes and lack of supply have been topics of importance for years and years, more so recently. Getting on and climbing the ladder are goals for so many of our increasing population. Overspill from towns and cities is ever-growing, even encroaching on Green Belt land.
By introducing measures to maintain satisfaction for residents, the costs of these homes will no doubt reflect the materials used, amenities available, costs and penalties to developers, and house types deemed ‘desirable’ in various locations. With house prices standing at a huge average for even lower-quality construction, this scheme risks putting even more potential movers into a stalemate against financial barriers.
Gove said local referendums will give communities further say on developments, making sure ‘beautiful’ homes are ‘built in the right place’, rather than ‘shoddy’ properties in the wrong areas. However, beautiful homes come at a premium, when cost of living is already so high.
In areas such an Ampthill and the surrounds, retaining the feel of a historical parish is essential, and something we can all agree on. To build or extend within certain parameters would do much to continue that for existing and new members of the community. Gove used the term ‘gentle densification’, explaining it as “what you or I would just recognise as simply building in tune with what’s already there.”
He also said, “Communities have been understandably resistant because new buildings haven’t been beautiful, they haven’t been built with the quality required,” as well as touching on infrastructure, and protection of environment and neighbourhoods.
Adam Barker, Company Director, shares his stance:
“Whilst I agree changes are required in both the private rental sector and with development, I don’t believe the proposed changes are beneficial to anyone.
The changes to planning and the decision to tax developers seems like an admission that the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) system is broken and they’re not prepared to fix it. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been collected by councils as part of the CIL, but often the money never reaches the intended target, with the last figures released showing 40% of CIL payments unspent by councils.
Unfortunately, the steps which should be taken—such as regulating letting agents and enforcing lets to be conducted through a regulated party in order to safeguard everyone’s interests, and reducing the long and protracted conveyancing process that sees millions of pounds in wasted costs due to failed sales—haven’t been addressed in the slightest
In the private rental sector, the removal of Section 21 is dangerous without complete overhaul of the possession process and proceedings for both the landlord’s and tenants’ sake. Having let thousands of properties, I speak from first-hand experience when I say the Government’s desire to create long-term tenancies is at odds with what we see every day with our tenants.”
To discuss all aspects of buying, selling, letting or renting, contact us on 01525 40 22 66 or email ampthill@orchards.co.uk
