Pickles scraps car parking rules

Older people told to run own services

Groups of vulnerable older people should take over the running of their sheltered housing schemes if they don’t want their resident wardens axed, according to the decentralisation minister.

Divided ambitions

When Eric Pickles axed the regional planning system, one Hertfordshire council seized the opportunity to scupper a neighbouring authority’s development plans. Simon Brandon kicks off our south east special by examining the consequences.

The rumour mill...

Lords call for reduction of Localism Bill

Peers have called on ministers to reduce the Localism Bill to make it easier for communities to take on more planning powers.

Growing pains

The stamp of approval

Councils are expected to allow development wherever possible

A new public right of way?

The government’s latest announcement underpins the trend towards treating housing associations as public bodies. Philip Heath, partner, and Jane Plant, associate, at Weightmans, explain

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

Shout it from the rooftops

Further planning rules under the Localism Act could increase the need to consult residents, says Ben Halsey, senior associate at Lewis Silkin

Battling fraud

New proposals to tackle sub-letting should include grounds for possession to bring stock back into use, says Colin Hammond, head of housing litigation at Penningtons Solicitors