Selfbuildportal.org.uk received its official launch at Downing Street today, 19 April 2012.

The brainchild of The National Self Build Association (NaSBA), the Self Build Portal offers a one stop shop for the would-be self builder, providing advice and information on every aspect of building your own home anywhere in the UK.

At the launch, Housing Minister Grant Shapps, announced a package of new support to self home builders, and was joined by NaSBA representatives, would-be self builders and a number of well-known pros including Kevin McCloud, Architecture expert, Presenter of Channel 4’s ‘Grand Designs’ and Architect, and presenter and independent advisor to the Government on empty homes, George Clarke.

An affordable option for everyone

The Minister said that going down the self-build route was an affordable option for aspiring homeowners and shouldn’t be seen as the preserve of those with deep pockets as a budget of £150,000 is adequate, in most instances, to get a three to four bedroom home built. The average cost of a ready-made home is now over £232,000.

A growing number of Britons are laying their own foundations with almost 14,000 new homes self-built last year – more than many individual volume housebuilders are building. However, the self-builder’s share of the market – one in ten of all new homes – is still very small by international standards.

More help – less red tape

Launching a package of measures today designed to turn this into a mass market opportunity, Mr Shapps said that for the first time, anyone wanting to build their own home from scratch – whatever their budget – will have the help, advice and support they need to get started.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: “Last year, self-builders accounted for about 14,000 new homes in this country – more than many large commercial builders. Yet our self-build industry still lags behind much of the rest of the world, with the opportunity to build your own home seen as something only for a select few.

“That’s why today, I’m pledging to back the self-build boom and support the industry to double in size over the next few years. As well as a new website giving help and advice, we’re working hard to identify more land for development and have reformed the planning rules to stop people’s aspirations getting tangled in red tape.

“This package of measures is designed to ensure anyone looking to build their own home gets the support they need – and with the numbers of mortgages available set to rise by a massive 141 per cent, there’s never been a better time for people to lay their own foundations.”

Supporting a growing industry

Today’s website is just one of a number of measures the industry is driving forward with the support of the Government. Today NaSBA reported to Government on achievements since the launch of its Action Plan last year. In particular the report highlights:

• Improved access to finance – Better engagement with lenders, leading to a predicted 141 per cent rise in mortgage availability for people looking to build their own homes
• Making more land available – The Government is continuing to identify more surplus land for self build projects
• More builders offering self build housing – there is increasing interest from builders, developers, landowners and local authorities to support self home building across the
country;
• Cutting red tape – such as the new support for people wanting to build their own homes in the revised National Planning Policy Framework; and
• Access to better information – More information on prospective sites for projects is now available, and more accessible through the new web portal launched today

Ted Stevens, NaSBA Chairman, said: “The new self build portal will help would-be self builders figure out what, realistically, they can afford to build; explain how their budgets can go further if they team up with others or do a portion of the work themselves, and it highlights the parts of the UK where it can be cheaper to find a site and construct a home.”

Kevin McCloud said: “Self build is sometimes seen as a long, difficult and self-sacrificing process. But with the right planning, help and support it can be enjoyable and – on collective schemes – empowering. I believe we can become a nation of self builders.”

Just two days after Greg Clark MP set out the Governments vision for planning in National Planning Policy Framework, Foxley Tagg Planning Limited were enjoying another four days of “coal face” work answering the general public’s questions on all aspects of the planning system planning at the “ask the experts” section of the Homebuilding and Renovating  show.

The hot topic was of course the impact of the NPPF with a variety of questions surrounding countryside residences and how planning guidelines would affect them, brownfield sites and back garden development testing the FT team’s knowledge of the document just days after its release.

As is always the case this event was well attended despite the distractions of lovely weather and queues at the filling stations.  Throughout the course of the four days the Foxley Tagg team gave well over 100 hours of well-informed specific advice to over 500 people from places as far afield as Cornwall and Yorkshire. The planning reach did not end there for Sally Tagg MRTPI provided her usual high standard of accessible lectures to standing room only audiences covering the popular topics of ”Permitted development” and new for 2012 “a guide through the planning maze” explaining to the layman the process and hurdles every application must go through.

As always the NEC provides an excellent base for the event and with support from the industry and of course the Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine and its staff Foxley Tagg would like to thanks all those involved for making the four days so enjoyable.

Next opportunity to see the Foxley Tagg Planning team and get access to their expert advice and to enjoy the seminars will be at Sandown Park, Surrey 30 June – 1 July 2012.

Sally Tagg presented to a packed audience of budding self builders and professionals at the ExCel Centre in London recently. The subject matter was the changing planning policy landscape in the form of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and how it may affect self-builders. A summary of Sally’s seminar is as follows:

 The Draft NPPF, as released in July 2011, for the first time in any National Planning Policy Document made reference to Self Building. Page 9, Paragraph 28: addresses the need for all types of housing, including… “People wishing to build their own home”.

 Within the Draft NPPF the key objective with regard to housing relates to, “everyone should have the opportunity to live in high quality, well designed homes, which they can afford, in a community where they want to live” (Page 30, para 107).

 At a local level LPA’s must now ensure that they:

Significantly increase the delivery of new homes.

• Deliver a wider choice of high quality homes that people want and need.
• Broaden opportunities for home ownership.

 In considering these criteria it is clear that each can be achieved through the provision or promotion of Self Build within local planning policies, if there is sufficient evidence to do so. To this end LPA’s must now ensure that they:

 Plan for a mix of housing based on current and future demographic and market trends so as to meet the needs of different groups in the community.

 In addition they must identify the size, type, tenure and range of housing required in particular areas so as to reflect local demand and need.

 The Draft NPPF has now put Self Building on the political agenda which is swelling support from Central Government, but also from neighbourhood and community groups.

There is now pressure being exerted on LPA’s from all sides with Central Government, communities and industry keen to affect change and ensure that more Self Build schemes come forward to help shape sustainable communities and to change the face of UK house building for a long time to come.

Sally Tagg presented to a packed audience of budding self builders and professionals at the ExCel Centre in London last week. The subject matter was the ‘changing planning policy landscape’ and how it may affect self-builders.

This was a particularly pertinent issue with the seminar taking place as the Chancellor announced in his budget speech that the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework was to be issued on 27th March 2012.

The organisers of the event were delighted with its success stating: “The level of attendance shows the topics and speakers were valued highly”.

The Ecobuild show is the latest in Foxley Tagg’s highly successful programme of public appearances with the next being the Homebuilding and Renovating Show in the NEC, Birmingham between March 29th – April 1st 2012.

During todays budget speech the Chancellor discussed the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which is due for publication next Tuesday, in encouraging terms as “growth friendly planning rules”, we wait with baited breath for the detail!

While George Osborne relaxes we get on with the coalface work with our MD delivering a key seminar ” How do planning changes affect self builders?” at the Ecobuild Show at ExCel today. With Foxley Tagg’s increasing interest and involvement in the self build arena this well received seminar plans for life after NPPF and the anticipated increase in the self build market.

The coalition may not be everyone’s friend with their efforts to kick start the building industry but through self build friendly policies we believe that central and local government are beginning to recognise and support this vital sector of the economy. This is long overdue and can form a basis on which to develop even more understanding of the self build and custom build marketplace providing the opportunity to build affordable homes throughout the country.

NaSBA Spring newsletter includes an appeal to find someone willing to host future planning events after the resounding success of the inaugural South West event which was kindly hosted by Teignbridge DC. newsletter 2012 spring edition

Planners, housing officers and policy makers from across the south west have come together in Newton Abbot to find out how they can help local people build their own homes, thanks to the country’s first Self-Build Housing Workshop.

The special event was arranged by the National Self-Build Association (NaSBA) with help from the Department for Communities and Local Government and Teignbridge District Council. Held at the Courtenay Centre in Newton Abbot on Thursday 2 February, it saw national experts including Government officials explain how local authorities can take account of new national policies to give more people the opportunity to build their own home.

Topics raised with the 50-strong audience included the Government’s Housing Strategy and the Custom Build Homes programme, presented by Mario Wolf, a senior policy advisor at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Discussions focussed on the implication of the National Planning Policy Framework, the Government’s emerging national planning guidelines. Attendees also took part in practical workshops and question & answer sessions, as well as examining case studies about successful self build projects.

It came at a good time for the authorities involved, many of which are preparing their own comprehensive long-term plans for housing, employment and other development in their areas. Among them is host district Teignbridge, whose Council Leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers formally welcomed people to the event.

Among the authorities represented were Teignbridge District Council, Cornwall Council, Dartmoor National Park, East Devon District Council, Mid Devon District Council, Plymouth City Council, Sedgemoor District Council, South Gloucestershire Council, South Hams District Council, Torbay Council and West Somerset Council. Also represented were the Homes and Communities Agency, Cornwall Community Land Trust, Cornwall Rural Housing Association, The Land Society and South Devon College.

Ted Stevens, Chair of the National Self-Build Association said:

“This event was the first of its kind, and based on its success we’ll be seeking to run similar events around the country. There’s a sea-change happening in the world of planning, and we’re keen to work with the Government and local councils to help make sure the ideas on paper come to life for the benefit of local people.

“Self-build projects can have tremendous benefits, supporting local construction industries and giving the community real power over the look and feel of their area. From individuals looking to build a single home for their family, to neighbours pulling together for community self build projects, self build offers a cost effective and flexible approach to putting the right things in the right places. Research and experience shows that over 50% of people would like to build their own home, and those who do are more satisfied with their home and surrounding area. Self-build generally saves people tens of thousands of pounds compared to market prices, making them more affordable and a better investment than buying something pre-built or even off-plan.

“Our thanks go to the Department for Communities and Local Government and to Teignbridge District Council for their support of this event. I know the attendees have been given some good food for thought, and hopefully will be taking away some fresh ideas for applying self build policies in their areas.”

Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council said:

“I was delighted to welcome this workshop to Teignbridge and it was very rewarding to see the level of interest shown by everyone in attendance. Sheltering our family is one of our most basic human instincts, a real fundamental need, yet in recent years it has become too complicated to self build. We have promised to simplify local politics and this is a good example of how we can cut red tape.

“Helping people build their way on to the housing ladder is a simple idea which is used across Europe but in the UK we are way behind. Events like this help improve our knowledge and bring us closer to making things happen. I have built my own house in the past I know what a great alternative to market housing they can be, and I’m keen to encourage this in Teignbridge. The advantage of self/custom building is that it adds value to our local economy by employing local people and companies. Each home generates 2.4 jobs, 1.5 directly and 0.9 indirectly, bringing local jobs for local people. This has to be the way forward!”

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning said:

“Custom-building is a fascinating area to explore, and in fact we’ve recently been promoting our policies to help people in rural areas build their own affordable home.

“With our long term plan for the district out to public consultation and still set to evolve, now is a perfect time to discuss national policy and how our plans can take account of it. Behind every technical planning document is a vision of how our future will look, full of real-world impacts that make a difference to everyday life. We want to bring our plans alive for local people and champion new ways of providing good quality homes. It’s all about choice for local people and taking a flexible approach to building the homes we desperately need.”

One of the key organisers and presenters at the conference was Sally Tagg, Director of Foxley Tagg Planning in Cheltenham. She said:

“This was a great opportunity to explain more about the emerging self-build sector and the ways in which planners and housing officers will be required to understand and plan for this type of development.

“Today we’ve looked at the opportunities and challenges which new planning policies bring, and how those on the ground can successfully turn policy into tangible local action. We had a good turn-out which was a really positive sign that authorities in the south west are ready to take notice of self-build and thoughtfully incorporate it in to their plans.

“From the feedback we have had from those attending, I think there is a real appetite to understand this sector of housing, and a realisation that we as a profession need to facilitate and promote this option. We were delighted at the high turnout and the very valuable contributions that the participants made.”

ENDS

For media queries please contact:

National Self Build Association:
Ted Stevens, 01452 610051, tstevens@seafa.co.uk

Foxley Tagg Planning:
Sally Tagg, 01242 222107, sally@ftplanning.co.uk

Teignbridge District Council:
Tim Borrett, Communications Officer, 01626 215164, Tim.Borrett@teignbridge.gov.uk

Help to shape the future of Teignbridge:

PlanTeignbridge is a 20 year plan which will shape Teignbridge for the rest of our lives and those of future generations. Have your say on jobs, homes and other developments and help us make the plan the best it can be. To find out more and tell us what you think, visit www.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge.

Foxley Tagg was central to the organisation of the first Self Build workshop aimed specifically at Local Planning Authority policy makers within the South West Region.

An audience of 40 professional local authority officers and Housing Association representatives attended this free seminar and workshop kindly hosted by Teighbridge District Council.

Following an introduction from the leader of the council, Jeremy Christophers and the Deputy Chief Executive, Phil Shears, the Chair of NaSBA, Ted Stevens outlined the events for the day, Central Government’s stance and the current and anticipated trends within the self build and custom build markets. Following Ted, Mario Wolf, the senior policy advisor to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on Housing Supply and Markets gave a passionate speech on the Governments ambitions for the sector, recognising as they do, the great potential for self build not only as a developing sector in its own right but as a ‘touch paper’ for the broader housing construction industry.
With upwards of 10,000 new homes each year potentially being built by self builders the economic impact in local areas for struggling tradesmen and also via contributions from homebuilders, to local authorities cannot be underestimated.

This brings home (excuse the pun) the reason why LPA’s need to be persuaded and educated about self build, as to why it should be supported and why lateral, innovative thinking must be allowed to flourish. This is not the doomsday scenario that has been painted in some quarters as a consequence of the NPPF but a very real benefit from this Framework which for the first time puts self build as a stated objective within a legislative document.

This last point was taken up by Sally Tagg with her detailed look at the NPPF and how the Local Planning policy makers need to take on board the recommendations with a starting point of actually understanding the scale of the topic and how poorly prepared many Local authorities are to manage the scale and type of demand that may come from the new initiatives.

There is no doubt that there are some forward thinking authorities out there fully prepared and already actively promoting and facilitating self builders. There are hot spots around Cambridge and isolated but very different examples in Swindon and Shropshire which were presented as alternatives to consider and expand upon during the workshop sessions later in the day.

The event was a resounding success with Jeremy Christophers thanking all concerned for their hard work and strongly suggesting that other regions would be well served to go through such a thought provoking exercise.

The gauntlet has been thrown down, central government has decided to embrace it, the construction industry is beginning to believe in it, the customers are there so come on local authorities let’s see some real positive moves to support the self build initiative.

An interesting day at the NSBRC for Mark Tagg representing Foxley Tagg via our involvement with the National Self Build Association. The conference in part celebrating 5 years of the Centre but also to establish a networking opportunity for the partners and other guests. In both these areas the Centre was successful, a well organised event with interesting, relevant speakers gave us all food for thought.
The most interesting element from a Foxley Tagg perspective was the talk given by Tim Doherty highlighting new build market opportunities especially in the self-build or custom build arena. Tim emphasised what we have believed for some time I that there is a real opportunity for growth in this area if all the constituent parts necessary to pump prime the sector work together. There is no doubt that the traditional housing market is still feeling the pinch of the recession and that a kick start for growth is required. If figures are to be believed then there is a latent market out there measured in tens of thousands of people who would be prepared to self-build as a means onto the ladder or to enable movement within it.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) certainly see this and through its ‘Action plan to promote the growth of self build housing’ are adopting some positive steps to facilitate some of the major hurdles to the custom build market. These are availability of land through initiatives of the Homes and Communities Agency and availability of finance through revolving fund facilities.
This is very encouraging stuff and if enabling developers can then be identified who work together with self builders either as individuals or a groups then there is real potential here.
The next part of the challenge is closer to home with the role of the local planning authorities around the country being pivotal is this desire and enabling is to succeed.
This part of the jigsaw is to be addressed by NaSBA through its first workshop aimed at LPA’s, ‘Planning for the self build revolution’, to be reviewed shortly.

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show is the UK’s biggest, dedicated self-build & renovation event. This year it will be packed to the rafters with free expert advice, countless inspirational ideas and thousands of cutting edge and essential products – all to help you make the most of your home, your budget and your plans.

 The Foxley Tagg Team will be available at the ‘Planning Clinic’ for individual 15 minute consultations. These can be booked on each of the days of the show at the concierge desk.

So whether you are about to embark on a project or are if you’ve applied for planning permission and your application has been refused, or if you are in the process of completing an application and want to discover tactics for success, you’ve found the right place!

In addition Foxley Tagg is delighted that their MD Sally Tagg, the Homebuilding & Renovating Planning Expert, will be present during the four days of the show presenting 2 different seminars each morning discussing different aspects of the planning process, talking about how to begin the process of preparing for your dream home, and how to make the planning system work for you.

Join us on the 29 March – 1 April 2012

 Tickets

For more information and free tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/expertfreetickets 0844 581 1377. Tickets are normally £10 in advance or £15 on the door (children under 16 go free).

As a Gloucestershire based consultancy with great sporting links and interests we were especially disappointed to hear the news that Gloucestershire’s plans for an enabled expansion to their Nevil Road ground had been turned down. We understand that this process has been on-going for some time and through many changes and despite support from a number of quarters has been turned down at planning committee.

With our history in County Cricket at senior management level within the consultancy we have a specific insight into how the sport needs the opportunity to develop its grounds and become competitive with other sporting facilities and indeed leisure activities. Modern day spectators have an expectation of their visits and to bring many of the grounds up to date significant development must be enabled. Cricket is particular is not a rich sport, yet does a huge amount in the community providing a healthy lifestyle to our schoolchildren in particular through its Cricket Development activities. If the grass roots are to succeed then the pinnacle must be strong and in the South West, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club must fulfil this need.

This story is I believe far from finished and we watch goings on with interest.

A new Year and some new faces for Foxley Tagg. After a very successful year in 2011 Foxley Tagg have recruited another qualified RTPI member in Emma Phillips who joins the company from Torbay Council. Emma brings a wealth of Local Authority experience gained from working on a number of high profile projects which provides unique insights into consultancy work.

Managing Director Sally Tagg said “I was delighted with the team’s performance during 2011 and I am determined to maintain that momentum during 2012 and see recruiting Emma as a step in that direction”.

The offices for Foxley Tagg Planning will close on Friday 23rd December at 4.30pm and reopen in the New Year on Tuesday 3rd January. We hope that all our customers enjoy a very Merry Christmas and look forward to a properous New Year.

Following an idea from its environmental planner Vicky Broucke, Foxley Tagg is delighted to help a locally based Charity, IT Schools Africa, to help transform IT education in Africa. By donating computers and keyboards to the scheme Foxley Tagg will play a small part in helping to improve the prospects of hundreds of thousands of children by equipping them with IT skills and enhance the teaching of other subjects by computer aided learning.

Vicky said ‘After spending some time in Uganda as part of a similar educational project I have a strong appreciation for the work undertaken by ITSA and the positive contribution it makes to the lives of individuals in Africa. I am pleased that Foxley Tagg could make a small contribution to this worthy cause.’

The process does not end there, these computers will typically have a useful life five years and at the end of this period the charity will collect the computers and send them to a facility in South Africa for complete recycling.

ITSA has to date distributed over 20,000 computers to over 1,000 schools in Africa, including schools in Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zanzibar and supported this effort with training over 500 African teachers in IT while establishing new programmes in Egypt, Tanzania and Madagascar.

Simon Richardson from IT Schools Africa commented “IT Schools Africa is very grateful for the donation of computer equipment from FT Planning and your support for the work of our Charity. By donating your old computers and monitors you are helping to improve the education of many thousands of children in some of the poorest countries on the African continent”.

If you are interested in supporting the scheme please contact IT schools on 01242 228800 or via email to info@itschoolsafrica.org.

Useful day yesterday at the home of sporting controversy, Twickenham, visiting the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) Sports Facility Construction Event. Nice venue, being sustainable I thought I would walk the 15 minutes journey from tube to stadium only to find that 15 minutes must have been running and not walking!

As well as a comprehensive array of exhibitors covering everything from non-turf pitches, floodlights to sports hall construction there were a number of seminars. The one of particular interest from a planning point of view was that delivered by the Deputy CEO of Fields in Trust, Don Earley, which covered their response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation period. Concerns were eloquently raised over the perceived and actual shortcomings in the NPPF compared to the predecessor PPG 17 and how this could leave sports fields in a more vulnerable position.

This was my first experience of SAPCA and it was impressive although disappointing that more people did not attend as I know from my own experience in professional sport and event management how much work is involved. There is no doubt that the sports agenda continues to gather momentum politically as health and welfare issues continue to dominate government thinking and it is nice to think that we at Foxley Tagg Planning are technically well equipped and hugely experienced in this arena.

Mark Tagg

On Saturday 26th of November 2011, Foxley Tagg’s Managing Director Sally Tagg attended the Annual General Meeting of the National Self Build Association (NaSBA) in Swindon. NaSBA was formed in October 2008 to promote self-build and become the voice of the self-build sector in which Britain lags behind the rest of Europe.
Sally has become increasingly involved in planning issues related to the self-build sector; in addition this is reflected in her long term association with the Homebuilding and Renovating magazine since March 2007. At NaSBA’s AGM she was successfully accepted onto the NaSBA Executive Committee.
Sally has been working with the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) over recent months following a call from Ministers in January 2011 which invited representatives from the self-build “industry” to form a working group. This working group in turn called upon the industry through four working sub groups to identify the four main challenges that they face. The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Grant Shapps as would be expected, is taking a keen interest in the report of the Self Build Government-Industry Working Group or in his words the “charter for the self-build revolution”.
The four main challenges have been identified as follows;
Availability of Land, availability of finance, impact of regulation and the disparate nature of the industry.
Sally has from the start of this year specifically been involved in the Group looking at Regulation and red tape through two streams, planning issues and non-planning issues. Along with the other sub groups, these findings were collated to create the Action Plan document entitled “An Action Plan to promote the growth of self-building housing”.
Following its publication in July this year, a Self-Build Implementation Group was formed from a select number of members of the four sub working parties to develop and carry forward the Action Plan. Sally was very committed to the work of the industry group and was delighted to have been selected to continue with the implementation Group and the programme of objectives identified in the Action Plan, working with sector professionals, local and central government and the industry as a whole.
A review of the Action plan key elements will be posted shortly.

On the 4th to the 6th November Sally Tagg once again took up her position as the resident Planning Expert for the Homebuilding and Renovating Show in Harrogate. The event was held at Harrogate International Centre in North Yorkshire, as per previous years. Once again this was a popular event, bursting with over 250 exhibitors and thousands of enthusiastic attendees.

The event offered visitors an extensive range of products and services to help them to deliver their dream home. In addition, experts from Britain’s leading self-build magazine ‘Homebuilding & Renovating’ were on hand to provide free masterclasses and seminars to attendees on the key subject areas essential to any self-build or significant home improvement project.

Sally provided a daily Seminar entitled ‘Planning Permission: A Beginner’s Guide’ in which she guided the show attendees through an introduction to the planning system, the different stages of the planning process and the types of applications that would be relevant to home-builders and home-improvers. This included tips for avoiding common pitfalls and hits on how to successfully achieve planning permission. The final section of the seminar also covered appeals, including the different types, timeframes and what will be required. This seminar is the perfect start for anyone new to the planning system who is looking to embark on the preparation of an application!

Together with a Masterclass on ‘Permitted Development’, in which she took attendees through the various opportunities for extending and improving their homes without the need for planning permission. This class caters for all levels of experience, providing an understanding of what you can and cannot achieve.
This as usual is a very popular session, with many people later purchasing the guide book prepared by Foxley Tagg Planning for 2011 entitled ‘Permitted Development: A guide to extending your property’. To purchase a copy follow this link.

Ask the Experts:
When not on the stage presenting the seminars and masterclasses, Sally was available on the ‘Ask the Experts’ stand for 1-2-1 sessions with individuals, where she could provide detailed advice on specific questions and proposed schemes. This impartial advice was offered free of charge, with Sally providing knowledge and expertise on a range of areas.

These include: Site Assessment, Scheme Feasibility Assessment, the Pre-application Process, Planning Permission, Planning Appeals, Permitted Development Rights, Listed Buildings and Conservation Area Consents.

Popular questions included:
• We have a site in the countryside and would like to build a house on it, where do we start?
• Can I build this using Permitted Development Rights?
• We recently had a planning application rejected , should we appeal the decision?

Future Shows:
The next annual Harrogate Homebuilding and Renovating Show is to be held on the 2nd to the 4th November 2012; however if you live elsewhere in the country, you may be interested in the other timetabled shows:

29th March to 1st April 2012 – National Show, The NEC, Birmingham
30th June to 1st July 2012 – Surrey, Sandown Park, Esher

Tickets:
If you currently subscribe to the Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine you are eligible for two free tickets to all of these events! If you do not subscribe to the magazine and wish to purchase tickets in advance, you can also benefit from a reduced price. Visit the following website link http://somerset.homebuildingshow.co.uk/en/Show-Tickets.aspx and save £3 per ticket. Alternatively, tickets are available on the door for £8.

FTP competition………………… win FREE tickets!

On Wednesday 31^st August 2011 Herefordshire Council’s Planning Committee met to consider the Outline Planning Application for the development of a new Rugby Club facility and 190 residential units on Land to the East of Holywell Gutter Lane, Hereford.

The application developed and submitted by Foxley Tagg Planning Ltd in conjunction with Hereford RFC, Bloor Homes and the Landowner consists of two elements.

The first element is to provide a bespoke Rugby Club and sporting facility which includes a range of flood lit pitches, one of which is an all weather surface, along with a new clubhouse and indoor training facility. The scheme will allow the Rugby Club to relocate from its current Wyeside ground which is beset by flooding and access issues.

The second element consists of an enabling development of 190 residential units, of which 67 will be affordable. The housing development will therefore provide the £5million required to develop the Rugby Club scheme.

The use of the residential scheme to ‘enable’ the development of the Rugby Club will ensure that the new facilities can come forward using private funds with no reliance on the public purse.

Plans for the Scheme

• Over Masterplan (3.44 MB) – Download
• Rugby Club Layout (3.39 MB) - Download
• Housing Layout (3.78 MB) – Download

At the Planning Committee a number of Committee Members were keen to emphasise that the scheme was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the City, given its enabling nature and therefore it should be supported.

Councillor John Jarvis, leader of Herefordshire Council said: “This was a very detailed well balanced application with many considerations for council members to take on board.  I am delighted that colleagues have chosen to give approval to this application”.

“This is a unique opportunity to provide much needed affordable housing and for the community to receive an incredible facility which residents of all ages will be able to benefit from.  Once completed, it will put Herefordshire firmly on the regional map for providing high standard sporting facilities.” (Read the full Herefordshire Council Press Release – Download)

Whilst other Members raised concerns a vote of 11 in favour and 5 against was passed, thus granting Outline Planning Permission for the application.

The decision is now subject to the approval of a Legal Agreement which amongst other things will seek to ensure the use of the facilities by community groups, other sports teams and organisations.

Although there is still a lot of work to be undertaken Foxley Tagg would like to thank all those people, groups and organisation who have supported the scheme and have assisted with the planning application.

This is a significant milestone in terms of the relocation of Hereford RFC and a great success for Foxley Tagg and its development partners.

If you wish to know more about the scheme please email: mail@ftplanning.co.uk

New articles added – 10.08.11 to the H&R article portfolio – http://www.foxleytaggplanning.co.uk/ft-portfolio/home-building-and-renovating-magazine-library/