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Planning changes need to go further in quality and retrofit, says CIC
Cristina Lago Deputy Editor
The CIC has raised concerns in its response to proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (Image: Richardjohnsonuk via Dreamstime.com)
The Construction Industry Council says the government’s new planning proposals fail to address the poor quality often seen in housing under permitted development rights.
On 30 July, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government opened a consultation on its proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to increase England’s housing stock. The consultation closed on 24 September.
In its response to the consultation, the CIC called for reform of permitted development rights. These rights allow householders to improve or extend their homes without planning permission.
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The construction body fears that more new homes could be created through this system without a new approach to build quality.
Professor Tony Crook, chair of CIC’s housing panel, said: “We support what the government is doing, including much of the detail in the NPPF, such as reintroduction of local mandatory housing targets.
“However, the NPPF will not be able to deliver on its own, and there is a real risk that without addressing other changes needed, government will fall well short of its housebuilding ambitions.”
The CIC is also concerned that the NPPF does not go far enough to promote a retrofit-first approach and conversion of existing buildings.
Mina Hasman, chair of CIC’s climate change committee said: “The policy of encouraging the reuse of existing resources within the NPPF should be strengthened to better incentivise retrofitting, improve design solutions, and dramatically reduce waste and carbon emissions in line with government’s stated commitment to a more circular economy.”
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