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Where next for the Community Right to Build?
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"26/07/2010
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The National Association of Local Councils gave a cautious welcome to the Government plans announced for protecting the future of rural village life by giving local communities the power to build the homes they need.
Housing Minister Grant Shapps MP has outlined a new right that will allow communities across England to come together and create new homes, shops, businesses and facilities.
Grant Shapps says: “The new Community Right to Build will shift power from Government to communities to allow local people to deliver the homes and development that they really want, without being told that their own expansion doesn't fit with their local (principal) council's plans and should not go ahead.”
The National Association argues that where a community brings forward a development scheme it should be granted because it:
• Has the support of the local (parish and town) council and the community, on the basis of a high quality community led plan
• Shows evidence of need
• Is of suitable scale and size, with no overwhelming site
constraints on drainage, archaeology, and biodiversity
Further to this, NALC believes this should apply to all development schemes, not just those involving community ownership.
Councillor Michael Chater, chairman of NALC, commented: “I am encouraged by the proposals launched today by the Government. However there appears to be very little detail in these proposals, so we as an Association can only give it a cautious welcome. We will be looking for more details from the Government on these proposals, which are to be carried through the Localism Bill. We want the Government to clearly state what it defines as community organisations and the role that local democratic bodies such as local (parish and town) councils can play in providing accountability and leadership for the community in the Community Right to Build.”
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