Levelling up
Levelling up ‘will fail’ without long-term funding, warn MPs
Levelling-up policy is suffering from a lack of oversight, long-term strategy and sufficient funding and “risks failure” without a significant shift in approach, a group of influential MPs has warned.
English Cities Fund secured as development partner for £250m Stockport regeneration scheme
Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) has formed a £250m joint venture (JV) with The English Cities Fund (ECF) to deliver a major mixed-use neighbourhood regeneration project in Stockport comprising 1,200 homes.
Labour planning major property-related reforms as election blueprint leaked
A leaked draft list of Labour’s key polices puts housing, private sector investment and planning high on the agenda as the party prepares to fight the Conservatives in the next general election.
Government launch of new fund vehicle proposals to boost real estate investment
Plans for a new type of investment fund unveiled in a government consultation last week could unlock “hundreds of millions” for UK real estate, according to property finance experts.
DLUHC response shows Treasury does not trust it to spend money, committee chair claims
A ministerial statement from levelling-up minister Dehenna Davison has failed to refute claims that the Treasury no longer trusts her department to spend money without approval following a Treasury financial ‘power play’.
Experts say review of Landlord and Tenant Act is long overdue
The Law Commission’s review is welcomed, but opinion is divided about whether it will make a real difference.
Housing ministry is needed to speed up delivery
It is clear that the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Housing is not just necessary but critical to provide a core plank of what the public expects from the government.
DLUHC proposals aim to speed up environmental assessments
Experts broadly welcome consultation paper but doubt that councils have resources to make proposals work.
Levelling up ‘failed’ in Northern Ireland but regional opportunities remain, says Mipim panel
Levelling Up has “failed” in Northern Ireland, leaving the region two decades behind the rest of the UK, according to Belfast City Council chief executive John Walsh.
DLUHC to spend 25% less on levelling up in 2023
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) is to spend nearly 25% less on regeneration projects than initially planned for this year.
Planning fee hike slammed
Government proposals to hike planning fees by as much as 35% for major developments could price small developers out of the market and create a “two-tier planning system”, industry sources have warned.
Property must embrace levelling up
It’s a testament to former prime minister Boris Johnson’s ability as a storyteller that his most abiding legacy will be the levelling up agenda, which, although less of a priority for Rishi Sunak’s government, is still visible.
Government plan to speed up infrastructure projects ‘welcome’ but concerns remain
The government’s plan to accelerate major infrastructure projects has been greeted positively by planning experts, but concerns remain over the challenges relating to its implementation, particularly the investment required.
Will the government shake-up benefit the built environment?
Last week’s departmental reshuffle has implications far beyond the appointment of a new housing minister.
‘Whitehall power play’ sees Treasury take control of DLUHC spending
The Treasury has taken control of Michael Gove’s Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) spending powers in a move described as a “Whitehall power play”.
