£6.3 million of funding set to kick start building work for tens of thousands of homes in dedicated Housing Zones across the country

As of 5th January 2016, Housing Zones across the country will begin to receive funding aimed at kick starting building work for tens of thousands of homes…
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Fisherman’s Friend tycoon builds a lighthouse on her land without planning permission

Multi-millionaire and Fisherman’s Friend tycoon has 30ft lighthouse replica built on her land only to learn she may have to knock it down because she has no planning permission…
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Prime Minister David Cameron promises to renovate run-down housing estates

Cameron announced that the country’s most neglected and deprived housing estates will be replaced and transformed into safe and pleasant-looking neighbourhoods.
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The Local Government Association reveals that the number of unbuilt homes with planning permission hits record levels

Around 475,000 are yet to be built despite having planning permission, resulting in record figures which are 25% higher than they were just five years ago.
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District Council brings legal challenge after planning refusal is overturned

Cherwell District Council, Oxfordshire, will seek legal challenge after their original decision not to grant permission for a 54 home development in Hook Norton was overturned by the Secretary of State’s Inspector on appeal…
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2015 – Planning Law Focus

A look back on some of 2015’s biggest property law cases and legislation
Another year has passed us by and case and statute law have both continued to evolve the planning process and the property industry landscape throughout the year. We look back on some of the more significant changes that will affect all of us in the industry, moving forward into 2016…
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Kensington property owner subject to s. 215 notice after painting house in red and white

Ref. Lisle-Mainwaring & Anor v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea [2015] EWHC 2015
A property owner who painted her estimated £15m house in Kensington with red and white stripes, has become the subject of a s. 215 notice and will be forced by Hammersmith Magistrates Court to return it to plain white…
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Government support for devastating floods in Cumbria and Lancs to reach over £60 million

After devastating floods hit Cumbria and Lancs earlier this month, the government has pledged over £60 million to support households and businesses that were affected.
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Court of Appeal confirms position on ‘switching’ planning permissions to avoid S. 106

R (Robert Hitchins Ltd) v Worcestershire County Council [2015] EWCA Civ 1060
The Court of Appeal has found in favour of a developer who attempted to switch between two similar planning permissions in order to avoid a £1m s. 106 liability. The result is a strong precedent for other developers with the same advantage…
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In case you missed it – Britain’s most energy-efficient home?

Architect Colin Usher has won the 2015 Buildings and Energy Efficiency Awards for designing a house that costs just £15 a year to run…
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