Councils given fresh guidance on garden grabbing

Government publishes revised planning reforms

Councils in England that do not have a valid local plan will be forced to follow the new planning framework from today, the government has said.

'Brownfield first' deserves a red card

Garden City Blues

An inspector calls

England’s reformed planning system hands councils power over development, so how will the government ensure enough homes are being built? Nick Duxbury investigates.

Another fine mess

Bright ideas

Elderly and disabled people don’t have to live with ugly adaptations to their homes. Katie Puckett finds out about a contest shining a light on good design

The stamp of approval

Councils are expected to allow development wherever possible

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

Ageing sustainably

By 2020 China will have more than 260 million people over the age of 65. Here, Jess McCabe gets a glimpse at how the country plans to house some of them in a giant, retirement eco-city

Utopia revisited

As David Cameron seeks to revive the principles of garden cities with a consultation due later this year, Colin Wiles examines how likely it is that his vision will come to fruition