Pickles says Cala decision "changes very little"

Nov. 10, 2010
<p>Communities secretary Eric Pickles has said that this morning's (Nov 10) High Court ruling that his move to scrap regional strategies and housing targets was unlawful "changes very little".</p> <p>In a statement following Cala Homes' victory Pickles said: "Later this month the coalition government will be introducing the Localism Bill to parliament which will sweep away the last government's controversial regional strategies."</p> <p>He said that the advice given to local authorities in May to take into account the government's intention to scrap regional strategies as a material planning consideration "still stands".</p> <p>"Today," he said, "the government's chief planner has written to all local planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate confirming that they should have regard to this material consideration in any decisions they are currently taking."</p> <p>He said that the relevant clause in the Bill would be placed in the Library "to illustrate the clear policy direction of the coalition".</p> <p>Pickles said: "Top down targets do not build homes - they have just led to the lowest peacetime housebuilding rates since 1924." He said he is introducing "powerful incentives" to build and details of the "most important" of these, the New Homes Bonus, will be provided "very shortly" and come …

Continue reading

To continue reading this article please login or register.

Login

Forgot your password?

Register for free

Quick and free registration

Register