The shiny new NPPF is here. Except, it’s not really that new at all. We have become very familiar over the course of the last year with how the government wishes to introduce ‘beauty’ into the planning process. This of course follows the recommendations of the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission.
From a viability perspective, this question could equally be phrased the other way around.
On Saturday morning (30/01/2021), MHCLG released an open consultation on some proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as well as a new draft National Model Design Code.
Landowners, whether they be individuals or organisations, have a range of options when they consider how to maximise the value of their assets. These options depend upon the level of resources which they wish to commit, and the level of risk associated with that process.
On 21st July 2020, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced new and expanded Permitted Development (PD) rights which he argued would deliver much-needed new homes and revitalise town centres. The new measures were originally mooted in the Prime Minister’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ announcement back at the end of June, in which Boris Johnson promised “the most radical reforms to our planning system since the Second World War”.
For developers in towns and cities, vacant buildings are often seen as a constraint as they can impose additional costs upon development, either in terms of their conversion or demolition. Clearly, if the building is a designated or non-designated heritage asset, the presumption will be for retention of that building.
So now we await a return to normality that may never really arrive. Cummings’ trip up north may have heralded a relaxation of the government’s lockdown and a move towards us being more ‘alert’ – whatever that means.
We now find ourselves experiencing a mix of weird dreams, unsettled nights, gorgeous weather, home working, home schooling, social distancing, fear for our loved ones and friends and total uncertainty over the future.
With the country’s mind firmly fixed on the COVID-19 crisis, other, normally significant issues have had to take a back seat. One such issue are the Government’s proposals for the delivery of affordable housing in England.
