WEB NEWS - 30 APRIL 2005

Housing Densities

A new Circular, O1/05, requires all planning authorities in London, the South East, South West, Northamptonshire and East of London to refer to the Secretary of State any housing application which they are going to approve on a site of 1ha. or more which is at a density of less than 30 dph. The Circular sets out how the density is calculated and how the site is measured.

Contact Richard Tilley (richard.tilley@cgms.co.uk) for further information

PPS6 Town Centres

The new PPS6 on Town Centres has been published. This covers not only retail and leisure developments but also all town centre uses and it introduces for the first time a sequential approach for out of centre office parks as well as out of centre retail and leisure. Any proposal which generates significant movements of people or traffic should now be located in town centres.

News Bulletin on PPS6 (89k)

and contact John Stockdale (john.stockdale@cgms.co.uk) for further information

Changes to Listed Building Procedures

Full control over the administration of the listing process has been transferred to English Heritage. Applications for listing should now be submitted to English Heritage rather than DCMS. English Heritage will, for the first time, consult owners and local authorities on applications to list buildings.

Contact Jonathan Edis (jonathan.edis@cgms.co.uk) for further information

Temporary Stop Notices

Faster and more effective enforcement powers against the development of unauthorised gypsy and traveller sites have been introduced in Circular 2/05 which sets out the provisions to implement temporary stop notices.
Under the 2004 Housing Act and new draft planning guidance, local authorities will be obliged to access the level of need for gypsy and traveller sites in their areas, and will be required to identify appropriate land in their development plan documents. Funding will be provided through the Regional Housing Board for local authorities and Housing Associations to establish new sites.

A new Traveller and Gypsy Unit is to be set up in ODPM to support local authorities in meeting their responsibilities, providing advice on enforcement issues and the provision of round-the-clock services to tackle unauthorised sites. The new unit will also support local authorities in addressing shortages of sites, through the planning and housing system.

Contact Valerie Scott (valerie.scott@cgms.co.uk) for further information