Getting Commonhold Done
TENURE RESPONSIVE LAND USE PLANNING
How to introduce Commonhold Successfully at ground level
Tenure responsive Land Use Planning means allocating land for development based on the way in which its owned. We do this already with requirements for affordable housing in planning and 'shared ownership' It is not widely recognised as a tool for planning in the UK but the UN sees it as a major tool for distribution of housing rights and encouragement of a fair society. It has been through leasehold, that land ownership has been handed down by the few to the few, lent for a period of years to the many, and then taken back again.
Through Tenure Responsive Land Use Planning we can provide a simple steer away from our present feudal system towards the stated goal of commonhold ownership.
The National Plan specifically mentions Tenure and recommends the benefits a preference for Commonhold will bring. Using Planning Policy Preference we can accelerate the change from leasehold to commonhold on a national scale.
This will be through encouraging the provision of Commonhold Housing by developers in preference to leasehold because of local planning policy on land use.
The National Plan and policy framework allow for a preference to be given to commonhold tenure in local plans.
Local Plans are based on the National Plan which has legal status.Our National Plan refers to tenure and its objectives are in line with a preference for Commonhold Development.
Local Authorities can presently designate land as Commonhold in the same way as for self build
Through the local plan a preference for Commonhold can be given in planning applications
New leaseholds may now be less attractive due to the Ground Rent Bill
The National Plan supports Commonhold
The National Plan itself begins with 3 objectives - 2 are:
a) an economic objective – to help build a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by ensuring that sufficient land of the right types is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth, innovation and improved productivity; and by identifying and coordinating the provision of infrastructure.
b) a social objective – to support strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by ensuring that a sufficient number and range of homes can be provided to meet the needs of present and future generations; and by fostering well-designed, beautiful and safe places, with accessible services and open spaces that reflect current and future needs and support communities’ health, social and cultural well-being; (P5)
The National Planning Policy Framework refers to tenure which should be taken into account in preparing the National and Local development plan.
see paras 60-80 in particular para 62:
"Within this context, the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community should be assessed and reflected in planning policies (including, but not limited to, those who require affordable housing, families with children, older people, students, people with disabilities, service families, travellers people who rent their homes and people wishing to commission or build their own homes "
The UN advocates Land Use Planning which influences access to homes and security of tenure.
"Tenure responsive land use planning UN 2016"
"This guide is a starting point for developing practical knowledge on how to improve tenure security through land-use planning..
We can do this - we can start now - we already have the precedents and guidance. Local authorities can lead. I'm hoping my home town of Brighton will be the first.
