Planning update – October 2016
Jules Pipe, formerly executive elected Mayor for Hackney took up office as Deputy Mayor for Planning on 1st August.
City Hall plans to scrap the much abused and misused developers’ viability assessments for affordable housing contributions by introducing a non-negotiable 35% flat rate for private sector schemes. This move would represent a shift away from how affordable housing levels are currently set through section 106 agreements, whereby developers attempt to reduce the amount of affordable housing by submitting financial viability assessments showing that contributions are commercially unviable. The set tariff will be brought forward by the Mayor as part of draft affordable housing planning guidance due to be published for consultation in the autumn. The Mayor will maintain his long-term 50% affordable housing target, aiming to make up the shortfall with a greater proportion of affordable housing on public sector-driven schemes. The tariff would rise to 50% in the long term. The guidelines are being pushed forward ahead of the new London Plan in a bid to deliver certainty to the industry following the Brexit vote.
The Mayor has launched an inquiry into foreign property ownership, which will focus on the scale and impact of different types of overseas investment in London. It will examine how foreign cash has changed the housing market – from exclusive high-cost accommodation to middle- and low-cost homes – in different parts of London, and explore how other international cities are tackling the problem. The impact of Brexit and the falling value of the pound which makes London property very attractive to overseas buyers has added urgency to this investigation.
I have submitted objections to the following planning applications in the constituency:
Land to the rear of 141-143 High Road, Barnet
North London Business Park, Brunswick Park
National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill
