Housing minister Grant Shapps has confirmed that ‘Community Right to build’ will be central to the Localism Bill which the administration plans to publish later this year.
Under these proposals community organisations will have the freedom to give the green light to new local developments without a specific application for planning permission, as long as there is overwhelming community backing in a local referendum.
Any surplus made from the sale or renting of homes would be recycled for the benefit of the community. But community organisations would not be restricted to just building family homes – they could choose to build sheltered housing for the elderly, or set aside plots for people to build their own homes. They could even offer long-term, low rent deals for local shops, community halls or sports facilities.
A new e-leaflet is now available offering information and advice to communities interested in setting up ‘Right to build’ organisations.
Shapps said: “Far from the Nimbyism that often hits the headlines, up and down the country there are entire communities willing and eager to give the go-ahead for new developments in their area. I want to give communities the power to preserve their villages, which are currently struggling to survive because of a shortage of affordable homes.”
However, both the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Royal Town Planning Institute have expressed misgivings about the proposals.
Fiona Howie, head of planning at CPRE, said: “A more democratic approach to house building is welcome as local people should always be given a say in development. We are pleased that the Government is considering how to protect and enhance rural village life and delivering affordable housing in rural areas will be a critical part of this. However, bypassing the planning process is not the way to deliver it and any proposals should include proper planning scrutiny.
“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 accessed through democratic local plans and not a simple public ballot.”
Jamie Hodge, spokesperson for the RTPI, said: “It is clearly vital that we look at innovative proposals to provide more much-needed affordable housing and other developments, especially in rural areas. However, we believe that local plans, developed by elected members in partnership with local people and businesses, are the most democratic way to deliver the aspirations of local communities for housing provision.”
He added: “Proper planning scrutiny has served us well whereas this proposal appears to disempower local authorities by removing their right to determine development proposals and may mean that new housing built as a result may conflict with existing wider community priorities, and will only have to meet nationally prescribed minimum standards, even if the local authority wishes to see higher design standards in its own area.”
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