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Short on time? Thursday’s housing news in five minutes

A round-up of the top stories this morning from Inside Housing and elsewhere

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Top story: Councils on collision course with government over climate emergency planning reforms

There is a mighty row brewing between councils and central government around changes the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is looking to implement, which will see councils have powers to set higher efficiency standards for new builds through the planning process.

Around 24 out of the 29 councils to have made such a declaration are looking to tighten planning rules through a revised plan to demand tougher standards of new builds.

The Local Government Association has warned that “restricting higher standards may discourage some councils from setting ambitious targets required to meet the government’s carbon 2050 targets”.

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Storm Dennis takes its toll on associations and tenants

The devastating floods caused by Storm Dennis have ravaged many parts of the UK in the past week, and housing association tenants and staff have not been immune.

Inside Housing has spoken to some of the biggest associations in the West Midlands and South Wales which have outlined how they have been impacted and how they are dealing with the storms.

Ian Thomas, chief executive of Pontypridd-based Trivallis, said 42 of the organisation’s properties have been affected. Mr Thomas remarked that it was the worst rain he had seen in 50 years.

Citizen, which manages around 30,000 homes, saw some of its homes in Herefordshire and Worcestershire being affected by the floods, with some families in Hereford having to evacuate.

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Lunchtime long read

Lunchtime long read

Picture: Alamy

In December, a number of sector bodies came together to create the External Wall System 1 process in a bid to fix the cladding and mortgage crisis which has left hundreds if not thousands unable to sell or remortgage their homes.

News editor Jack Simpson looks into the process to see if it is working and whether it is providing the hope trapped leaseholders so desperately need.

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Quote of the day

Quote of the day

“Lots of opinion pieces by chief executives of housing associations reference the boon a social home was to either themselves or their parents.

“By contrast, I have vivid memories of my grandad muttering darkly about paying rent and “lining the pockets of a venal council” with nothing to show for it in the end. In fairness, it probably says more about him than the home.”

Ruth Davison, chief executive of Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association, reflects on her childhood and explains why the government’s First Homes policy will not achieve its aim of growing homeownership.

Click here to read the comment piece

In the papers

In the papers

Picture: Getty

In response to the recent devastating floods, The Guardian has carried out research that shows one in 10 of all new homes in England since 2013 have been built on land that is at high risk of flooding.

The newspaper’s analysis of government data has found that more than 84,000 homes built since 2013 are at risk. It comes as the public braces itself for more heavy rainfall in the coming days.

The BBC runs an in-depth piece looking at no-fault evictions and the impact they are having on people’s lives across the country. The piece uses a number of case studies of people who, despite having lived in properties for a number of years, are given just two months to move out under Section 21 notices.

It also analyses data to show there were over 8,000 repossessions last year and more than 16,000 in 2015. The Conservative Party promised to scrap no-fault evictions as part of its general election manifesto.

Local news

Local news

Picture: Getty

The Yorkshire Evening Post writes about the increasing demand for two-bedroom homes in the city. Reporting on a council meeting this week, the paper writes that developers need now to come forward with plans for much smaller homes in order to meet housing need.

Midlands-based publication Coventry Live has a report on a major shake-up of social housing in the city. The council has now overhauled the Coventry Homefinder system for allocations, with the hope of simplifying it and ensuring it will find homes for those most in need.

Around the sector

Around the sector

Feather Lane Development, Nuneaton (picture: Stonewater)

This week Inside Housing’s development of the week was Feather Lane, Nuneaton, by housing association Stonewater. The details of the new project are as follows:

Local authority: Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council

Developer: Deeley Group

Architect: Robothams

Number of homes: 27

Cost: £4m

Completion date: January 2020

The scheme: This development comprises of 27 homes, including eight two-bedroom and 11 three-bedroom homes for affordable rent as well as four two-bedroom and four three-bedroom shared ownership homes. Supported by Homes England grant funding, the homes were built in partnership with Deeley Group, which has been at the forefront of regeneration in Bermuda over several decades, which aims to boost economic growth across the town.

We want to hear from you! To tell us what your organisation and staff are doing, email editorial@insidehousing.co.uk

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