Development Insights Spring 2024

Development Insights

Development

Our national Property Development capability is underpinned by the fact that it comprises an integrated team of regional specialists, located strategically across our nationwide network of offices. Our focus is always on ensuring clients optimise the asset value of their investments and realise their financial and strategic goals.

We provide our clients with a comprehensive and holistic service designed to support them throughout the lifecycle of the development - from

Politics vs Planning?

In launching the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (19 December 2023) the Government confirmed its commitment to building more homes, acknowledging that too many local planning authorities (LPAs) have no up-to date Plan; too many take too long to get their Plan in place; and, too many Plans do not deliver as they should.

So what has changed in the NPPF to address these issues? We look at some of the key changes and the impacts these are already having on the planning system.

• Housing Need – The updated NPPF confirms that the standard method for calculating housing need is an advisory starting point and that exceptional circumstances will be required for using an alternative method. Many LPA’s had already stalled preparation of their Plans hoping for this amendment to be implemented, with some of these LPA’s now considering reducing their own housing requirement or going back on previous commitments to deliver neighbouring unmet needs. Whilst this may speed up the Plan making process; without any obligation to help out neighbouring authorities there is a real risk that housing needs will not be met.

• Housing Supply – The updated NPPF removes the requirement on LPAs with an up to date Plan (less than 5 years old) to demonstrate a rolling 5 year housing land supply. This is meant to provide an incentive for LPAs to get plans in place quickly and avoid speculative applications. Further, LPA’s at an ‘advanced’ stage of their Plans now need only demonstrate a 4 year housing land supply for decision making purposes. Others yet to reach the advanced stages are still required to demonstrate a 5 year supply.

• Green Belt – The updated NPPF confirms there is no requirement on LPA’s to review or alter Green Belt boundaries. The Government’s protection of the Green Belt has been widely opposed by the development industry claiming without such reviews the targeted delivery of 300,00 homes per annum is unlikely to occur.

We could soon be working to an altogether new planning system however, with a General Election on the horizon. The Labour Party have stated that they would immediately reverse the NPPF updates and have signalled that in order to deliver on housing needs they would allow some development of Green Belt land. So everything could yet be shaken up!

Angela Brooks Planning

Recent sold successes

Strategic land

• Do you own land in a sustainable location on the edge of a settlement?

• Do you own land close to a city or large town and close to a major road network?

• Is your land included within a current or emerging local plan?

• Has your land been assessed previously for its strategic development potential?

• Do you believe your land has some strategic potential for residential or commercial development?

Welcome to the development team

I’m really pleased to have joined Fisher German at such an exciting time for the firm. I’ve been involved in residential development my entire career, and Fisher German has always been a name held in very high regard in the sector, so I jumped at the chance to join such a great firm.”

I am extremely pleased to join the partnership at Fisher German. The firm has an exceptional reputation within the industry and a well-established development team working right across the UK. The North West is chronically undersupplied for residential development land, and Fisher German has strong landowner links meaning there is a significant opportunity for the firm to support with housing numbers.”

If the answer is yes to any of the above, you may be sat on a future asset which has some significant strategic value and expert advice would be required to guide you through the process to achieve its full value. Fisher German would be happy to undertake a free of charge desk top review of your land to assess its current potential for development.

Given the large shortfall in new residential dwellings year on year and our Government’s commitment to increase the delivery of new homes, strategic land is a commodity in demand by developers and land promoters alike.

With a general election on the horizon, this commitment will become more focussed (by both parties) and so a clear and concise plan to promote land through a local plan would be beneficial to its chances of success in achieving a planning permission in the longer term.

Don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Development team for your free assessment:

tom.pike@fishergerman.co.uk

luke.brafield@fishergerman.co.uk