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Report

Planning positively through partnership

A positive, proactive and responsive planning system focused on shaping places is vital for the future growth of our society. Where it works well, it is one of the best tools that we have to deliver the homes and jobs where they are needed, in our villages, towns and cities.

It also ensures that the emphasis on new development is set within wider local strategies for improving health, creating jobs and boosting educational attainment, and enabling social cohesion.

But the planning system cannot achieve this all by itself. It also needs developers, councils and local communities to work together to create effective partnerships. The earlier in the planning process these relationships are built and nurtured, the more likely that greater positive outcomes will be achieved for local communities when new development comes forward.

The LGA hope the case studies included in this publication provide inspiration to all those with a shared interest in ensuring that the aspirations and needs of people and communities are at the centre of our collective efforts to deliver new, high quality development.

Author: Local Government Association

Publication date: February 2018

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Report

The London – Cambridge Corridor: Making more of the Green Belt

The Metropolitan Green Belt covers a large part of the Greater South East. It is a blunt policy instrument that ensures a high degree of enforcement and produces a range of unintended consequences. This has led to polarised positions. Its defenders argue for no change believing that any revision will be the ‘thin end of the wedge’ leading eventually to its demise. Opponents see a failure to address the consequences flowing from a long term restriction of land supply and point out that the world has changed since the Metropolitan Green Belt was conceived.

The Metropolitan Green Belt raises questions about the scale of planning. The development of local plans can include a review of the Green Belt but this does not take place in a strategic context. In particular cross boundary considerations between London and its neighbouring authorities are limited, yet the Metropolitan Green Belt clearly requires a coordinated approach. At the national level policy largely favours the status quo.

The report authors are seeking to identify the possibility of a more flexible approach to the Metropolitan Green Belt that supports a clear purpose but which recognises the need for flexibility given the complex and changing needs of London and the wider South East.

Author: Alan Mace, Alessandra Mossa, Fanny Blanc (LSE) with Levitt Bernstein

Publication date: February 2018

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Further information: www.lse.ac.uk/geography-and-environment/research/green-belt

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Report

Making spaces for play: on new suburban and town developments

It looks in detail at play (a proxy for overall social activity) and relates this to a simple mapping exercise that scores four physical characteristics of new developments. Though only a pilot exercise the methodology shows promise as a way of predicting, at an early stage in planning, future social outcomes. Where beneficial features are absent, social activity and play may be a small fraction of that observed on the developments with the higher mapping scores.

Author: ZCD Architects, NHBC Foundation

Publication date: December 2017

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Report

Delivering the renaissance in council-built homes: the rise of local housing companies

Local housing companies (LHCs) are independent arms-length commercial organisations wholly or partly owned by councils. They can develop, buy and manage properties within and outside of a local authority area. The homes LHCs provide sit outside of the local government housing financing system (Housing Revenue Account) and are not subject to the Housing Act and most of the social/affordable housing regulations.

Over the past few years the number of companies has increased among councils across the whole of England. This study of LHCs shows that the vast majority are engaged in the provision of affordable housing, as well as market housing for rent and sale.

Although the number of LHCs has risen dramatically, there have been few studies on their evolution or impact on meeting local housing needs. There is no official register or database of LHCs and few case studies. This report is an attempt to fill that information gap and better understand the extent to which LHCs are developing as alternative providers of affordable homes.

The research, including an on-line poll of councils, roundtable meetings and interviews with practitioners and experts, has attempted to document the emergence of LHCs, in all their shapes and forms.

Author: Paul Hackett, The Smith Institute

Publication date: October 2017

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Report

Health and Wellbeing in Homes

Our home, both the location and the physical building itself, influences almost every aspect of our lives – from how well we sleep, to how often we see friends, to how safe and secure we feel. If we want to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, there can hardly be a more important place to start than the home: it is where most people spend most of their life.

This report is about beginning a concerted effort to shift the market towards a focus on the mental, social and physical health and wellbeing of the people who occupy the homes we build and retrofit. It is aimed at all those with a role in developing, designing, delivering or managing housing, and is focused on general needs homes in the UK housing sector. The aim is to gather and distill the most compelling evidence and advice about building and neighbourhood design features which can enhance the health and wellbeing of residents.

Author: UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)

Publication date: September 2017

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Report

Post occupancy evaluation of certified Passivhaus homes in the UK

The Passivhaus Trust has been working with Rachel Mitchell, Bath University and WARM to analyse the performance of a number of certified Passivhaus dwellings in the UK.

Monitoring data obtained from Technology Strategy Board (now Innovate UK) research projects has been included in the report, which mirrors the EU funded CEPHEUS research project that has looked at the performance of Passivhaus buildings across continental Europe. A total of 13 sites in the UK were monitored as part of the project, although the research is open-ended and we are able to add project performance data and update the research as and when it becomes available.

The research is focused on certified new-build Passivhaus homes, both single dwellings and multi-residential.

One key finding of the research is that the Passivhaus dwellings perform exactly as expected in terms of Space Heating demand.

Key measurement data:

  • Internal temperature for at least one year
  • Space Heat energy use (or total energy bills) for the same period as internal temperature
  • Source of heating

Additional measurement data:

  • External temperature
  • Solar radiation
  • The PHPP sheet for each dwelling
  • Occupancy levels
  • Electricity bills

Author: Passivhaus Trust

Publication date: July 2017

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Guidance Report

London’s Circular Economy Route Map

This route map outlines a vision of a capital city thriving through the adoption of the principles of circular economy: an economy which keeps products, components and materials at their highest use and value at all times. It looks forward to an alternative to the current linear economy – defined as one in which we make, use and then dispose of products, components and materials – and it comes with significant benefits.

Author: LWARB

Publication date: June 2017

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Report

Building homes, creating communities

The TCPA has released a report in partnership with APSE which evaluates the effectiveness of national housing and planning policy from the perspective of UK local authorities.

The report investigates whether councils believe that current planning frameworks help or hinder the production of housing in Britain.

Based on the research findings, which includes case studies, surveys and round table discussions with 166 local authorities, the report makes 16 recommendations to Government.

Author: Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE)

Publication date: May 2017

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Book Report

One Hundred Years of Housing Space Standards: What now?

Part history, part insight and part opinion, this is perhaps the most detailed and contextual analysis of housing space standards that exists, and certainly the most current. Written by Julia Park, Head of Housing Research at Levitt Bernstein, the account begins with a summary of the evolution, or perhaps more accurately, the comings and goings, of the various space standards that have been applied to new housing in England.

Reflecting on what history tells us, the book examines the role of space standards in the context of the current housing crisis and explores how themes such as under-occupancy, overcrowding, density, mix, land value, viability and politics are all part of the story. The final section offers informed thoughts about the way forward. It concludes that the benefits of regulation are likely to significantly outweigh any disadvantages and could be a catalyst for far-reaching, positive changes in the way we live – potentially resulting in more housing, not less.

Author: Julia Park, Levitt Bernstein

Publication date: January 2017

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Further information: housingspacestandards.co.uk

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Report

Building our homes, communities and future

At the Local Government Association Annual Conference in July 2016 the LGA published the preliminary findings from the commission. Since then they have sought to take forward solutions, they have been impressed and proud of the work underway in the sector, and encouraged by the initial response from the Government. The Autumn Statement’s confirmation of additional investment and flexibility for councils to help build affordable homes, and to invest in infrastructure linked to housing growth both reflect central asks from the preliminary findings.

This final report sets out further detail, and sets out some key asks in advance of the Housing White Paper. But it is not the end of their work. The LGA will continue to develop these ideas with the sector, building up the case for policy change where it is needed, and capturing and sharing innovations that will help councils in their efforts to meet housing need.

Author: Local Government Association

Publication date: December 2016

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