3 February (Part 1) - Planning changes
Various planning law changes aimed at improving the housing situation are
being introduced by the current government and were briefly discussed at the recent Places Scrutiny Committee.
Notable changes (and likely changes) are - with Councillor comments where appropriate-…
• Mayor Khan has given up on his plan to build 35% social houses in London.
The target is now 20%.
• There are proposals to remove the Community Infrastructure Levy which Bexley regards as a “very dangerous” move.
• The Secretary of State has made “alarming” proposals to over-ride local plans.
• Local authorities should use a “pattern book” of standard designs. A “very frightening” proposal.
• Planning Committees must be modernised which includes appointing national delegations. “Chilling.”
• New home densities must be increased with no distinction between inner city and suburban areas. "Very regrettable."
• Upward extensions are to be encouraged. “Unlovely results.”
Weirdly, Councillor Mabel Ogundayo (Labour, Thamesmead East) said there was no building going on in
London. In particular she said there were no cranes in London any more and
blamed Brexit for it. “No one is building anything.” This is a ridiculous
assertion. When I occasionally drive home via the A12, A13 or A2, in other words
looking towards the central London skyline, the horizon is a sea of red lights. I hadn’t noticed that the Reeves woman has
totally killed the economy yet despite her best efforts. Even more weird from a party political standpoint, the Councillor thought that
after 20 years of Tory rule Bexley was “a great and wonderful borough”.