24Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Two storey permitted development a nightmare for neighbours

Two storey permitted development a nightmare for neighbours

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Housing Minister Robert Jenrick has announced that, from 31 August, householders will be able to build a two-storey extension to their property with the normal planning rules ceasing to apply, and the Oldham Liberal Democrats are far from happy about the change. Under the new permitted development rules, Liberal Democrat Councillors are concerned that there will be few checks and balances on what goes up, and that poorly planned and executed developments, which ride roughshod over local objections, could be an eyesore and cause neighbourhood tensions. Commenting the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said:  “There has always been an opportunity for homeowners to extend their property, but only if planning considerations are met and neighbours are consulted.  Now with this change, these planning safeguards will be…
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03Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Govt’s planning reform shows they’re not serious about tackling housing crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's announcement of planning reform in England which will allow new homes and hospitals to be granted automatic permission to be built, Liberal Democrat MHCLG Spokesperson Tim Farron said: “The announcement to reform England’s planning laws today reveals that once again Ministers are not serious about solving the housing crisis. It is not the lack of planning permission that prevents new, genuinely affordable, homes being built, but this Government’s refusal to properly invest in social housing. "Across the country thousands are on housing waiting lists – but with councils approving nine out of ten planning applications, it is clear that these changes announced today will not help those on waiting lists or those saving to buy a home. "Rather than tinkering with planning laws, what Robert Jenrick…
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28Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Planning rule changes mean more substandard housing

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Changes to permitted development announced by the Government mean that far more substandard houses are likely to be built in the UK over the next few years. Sam Al-Hamdani, the shadow cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness on Oldham Council said: “We cannot abandon housing standards for the sake of getting these extra houses. The Conservative Government is rushing through rules that are going to create a new generation of slums. And the places that are most going to be affected are the places which are already struggling to get new housing – such as Oldham.  On the same day that the changes were rushed through, a damning report investigating the results of the previous changes to permitted development showed that only 21% of houses created using permitted development would meet…
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