CLG will ‘backdate’ cash incentives to build homes

Growing pains

Call made for community restrictions in Localism Bill

The Localism Bill should be amended to ensure housebuilding is not unreasonably restricted by communities, a senior National Housing Federation director has said.

Pickles decides not to fight planning claim

Communities secretary Eric Pickles will not fight the claim that he acted unlawfully when turning down planning permission for 2,000 new homes.

Local control

IDS called on CLG to solve dog track row

The secretary of state for work and pensions called on Eric Pickles to launch an investigation into London & Quadrant’s plans to build on an iconic former dog track, Inside Housing can reveal.

Going spare

The government’s contentious ‘bedroom tax’ on under-occupying tenants is set to become law this month. Alex Turner looks at the disproportionate effect it’s likely to have in the north

Stuck in the mud

Despite the Localism Act being passed, the role LEPs can play in housing remains uncertain, says Liz Jenkins, partner, and Laura Coates, trainee, at Clyde & Co

The stamp of approval

Councils are expected to allow development wherever possible

The legal aid lifeline

Cuts to legal aid and new spending restrictions mean tens of thousands of tenants will no longer be eligible for free housing advice. Jess McCabe visits a law centre to investigate the likely impact of the changes

Nest egg necessities

Social landlords have just a year to prepare for pension reforms. Chris Crichton, solicitor at TLT Solicitors, explains more