The High Court has today (Nov 10th) ruled that communities secretary Eric Pickles’ decision to revoke regional strategies and their housing targets was unlawful.
The decision – prompted by a legal challenge by Cala Homes – effectively reinstates the regional strategies and housing targets.
The House Builders Federation has argued that the government should put in place clear transitional arrangements for the move from the old planning system towards localism, and it is hoped that this decision will prompt it to do so while local authorities continue to plan for housing delivery as before.
Pickles says Cala ruling “changes very little”
In a statement following Cala Homes’ victory Pickles said: “Later this month the coalition government will be introducing the Localism Bill to parliament which will sweep away the last government’s controversial regional strategies.”
He said that the advice given to local authorities in May to take into account the government’s intention to scrap regional strategies as a material planning consideration “still stands”.
Pickles said: “Top down targets do not build homes – they have just led to the lowest peacetime house building rates since 1924.” He said he is introducing “powerful incentives” to build and the “most important” of these, the New Homes Bonus, will come into effect from April.
We agree with Eric that this ruling will make very little difference long term. What will have a positive impact are the planning changes the Government will be implementing next year to encourage local authorities to build new homes. As local authorities no longer have the budget for building new homes ultimately they will have to start working closely with the Private Sector to fill the major housing gap we have in the UK.