Keep up-to-date with the Autumn budget 2017...

Do you have land for sale? Contact us on 01932 950500 if you do.

Reigate & Banstead local plan to be considered for consultation Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s executive is set to consider the next stage of the council’s local plan for consultation and submission to the secretary of state. Consultation on it was also held last year. The plan sets out where in the borough new homes, businesses, shops and facilities should go up until 2027. Policies also seek to protect the area’s character and heritage. If agreed by the executive, the plan will be referred to full council on 14 December for approval, with the statutory Regulation 19 consultation expected to take place in the new year. The plan will then be submitted to the secretary of state.

SUCCESSFUL PLANNING GRANTS ON THE RISE According to government data, despite planning applications falling by a quarter, the last 10 years has seen the percentage of successful grants grow from 82% to 88%. Total planning applications have dropped since the economic crash of 2007, but better planning guidance and a relaxation of planning rules are seeing more applications granted than ever before. In the year ending 31st March 2017 there were 18 places in England where 100% of major development applications were accepted, including in North York Moors National Park, Halton, Adur, and Lincoln. During the same period, the least likely place to get a major planning application granted was Epsom and Ewell where just 38.46% were granted. Spelthorne (50%) and Bournemouth (52.08%) also saw a low success rate.

Self builders are hungry for land. Would you consider selling yours? Call 01932 950500.

Hammond wants to build on green belt land National park asks builders to consider the park for new homes, Khan calls on government to increase cash for housing. And more stories... This weeks planning news in association with ThePlanner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.RTPI logo Planner jobs Hammond wants to build on green belt land Chancellor Philip Hammond wants to use this year’s Budget to free up green belt land for housing, but Prime Minister Theresa May is resisting his calls. According to The Times (subscription), the Budget will feature measures that continue Hammond’s wish to tackle Britain’s poor productivity, with the lack of housing in high-demand areas is considered a key factor. The paper reports that the chancellor has been arguing with the cabinet that some of the countryside protected by green belt regulations should be reclassified as part of a housing package that could see extra borrowing that funds build new homes. Earlier this year, the government published its housing white paper, Fixing Our Broken Housing Market. It notes that the existing “strong protections for the green belt” should be maintained and green belt boundaries should be amended only in “exceptional circumstances”, such as when local authorities can demonstrate they have examined all other options for meeting their housing requirements. The green belt is not on the agenda for the Budget, a senior ally of May has reportedly said.

We think it’s a #Picasso - anyone have any other suggestions???

Downing Street summit hears May’s pledge to boost house building Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to take ‘personal ownership’ of the drive to speed up housing development and urged sector leaders to play their part at a Downing Street summit yesterday. The summit, which lasted 75 minutes, was attended by ministers, the chiefs of Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey, alongside representatives from local government, registered social landlords, small builders and housing professionals. A Downing Street spokesperson said May outlined her plans to increase housing supply “which means developers, big and small, local authorities and housing associations all stepping up to play their part”. The summit discussed how to ensure planning permissions granted by councils delivered new homes, modern methods of construction, future supply of skilled workers and help for small and medium-sized builders. “It was encouraging that everyone around the table agreed with us about the important role councils must play and pleasing that the prime minister is taking personal ownership of this challenge,” said Local Government Association chairman Lord Porter, who attended the summit. “The last time we were building the number of homes that the country needs, in the 1970s, councils were building 40 per cent of them. “Councils want to get on with the job of building the new homes that people in their areas desperately need again and are already playing their part by approving nine out of 10 planning applications.” Commenting on the summit, Wedlake Bell planning partner Jay Das said no one person or organisation “has the magic wand” to solve the housing crisis. “To be successful in the short term – before the next general election – the prime minister will need to focus on industrial and brownfield land, and more building by the public sector to show any real progress during her term of office,” she added. “Any legislative reforms are highly unlikely."

Another Aston Mead sold board up in the #Woking / #Guildford area – if you have land to sell call Mike on 07484 618139.

Sale recently agreed near #Epsom, #Surrey at 33% above the basic residential open market value of this detached home. If you have a home with large garden and are thinking of selling, please talk to us first. Call Mike Wightman on 07484 618139.

We are looking for a warehouse for a client who needs to store circa 10 cars. Would be ideal for someone with empty space where they can offset the business rates by letting our client take the space. If you can help please contact adam@astonmead.land