Will Fast-Tracking Building Approvals Kickstart The Economy? The government has pledged to overhaul the planning system from September in a bid to offer a lifeline to the dying high street trade. As the economy struggles to find a way out of the pandemic, the Prime Minister is urging the UK to forge ahead with plans to ‘build, build, build’ in a bid to kickstart recovery. Along with heavy investment into the hope of a ‘greener’ and ‘more beautiful’ country, the government has also transformed the planning system. This has been prioritised in both the residential and commercial sectors so that new buildings in local areas can encourage and support the growth of business. What Planning Changes Have Been Made? The changes that have been made to the existing planning system have been implemented to cut out some of the red tape, and allow for the fast-tracking of applications. From September, builders will not be required to obtain a planning application if they wish to demolish vacant commercial properties to be turned into residences. Additionally, property owners will be able to fast-track approvals allowing them to extend above their buildings to add extra space. Changes Of Use To Brownfield Sites The changes have been made by the government in a set of reforms designed to support high street revival and to create homes where people would prefer to live. Instead of brownfield sites lying vacant, whilst occupying prime positions, the reforms will make it easier to repurpose the land and turn it into housing. This will in turn reduce the pressure on greenfield land, thus benefitting the environment. High Street Under Stress The high street has long been threatened by changes to consumer behaviour, particularly with the advent of online spending. This has been exacerbated further during the pandemic, and now a vast number of retailers are at risk of permanent closure. The change to the planning system will help business owners and landlords by allowing them to quickly adapt the purpose of their building. This will enable businesses to switch from a retail to café model for example, to retain the viability of their brand. Better Homes By removing unnecessary red tape, this will make it easier for property developers to build desirable homes that people want to live in. However, there are also concerns that this removes the...
Keeping An Open Mind As A Tenant From budgeting to viewing properties, this guide will give you an idea of what to focus on in the quest for your new rental home. Zoopla reports that the average tenant in the UK spends around a third of their monthly income on rent, whilst rental costs have increased 2% in the past year. As such a significant portion of wages is going towards renting, it’s important that tenants are happy with the roof over their heads. Lettings accommodation is wide and varied, so it’s important that you spend time looking for the perfect property to suit your current situation. This guide will help you determine what to look for. Working Out Your Budget Step one of your home finding process should be to work out what budget you have available to you and the areas and types of accommodation you’ll be able to aim for. There’s no point viewing extravagant homes you’ll be unable to afford, as this will only put a downer on visiting accommodation within your actual price range. Try to stay open-minded though – if your budget is small but you feel you need to live close to the city centre in a three-bed property, you may need to consider either squeezing into a two-bed or moving further out where rental prices might be more affordable for you. Consider Other Areas Many tenants find that if they spread their wings just a little bit, this opens up the possibility of living in some fantastic new areas that they wouldn’t have otherwise considered. Look at villages, towns or suburbs that neighbour your preferred location. For example, Brentwood estate agents explain that if you would like to live in Ongar but can’t afford it, consider living in Brentwood which is just twenty minutes away by car and offers fast connections into London. Register With Estate Agents Many property searches begin by using sites such as Zoopla or Rightmove. But tenants are missing a trick if they don’t also register with local estate agents in the areas they’re interested in. If agents know that you’re serious about finding accommodation to rent, then they’ll be likely to make you aware of new lettings that are available before they hit the marketplace. Sign up with a few of them, and there’s no harm...
From Unloved Room to Heart of the Home Your conservatory is more than an add-on to your home. With a little imagination, you can turn into whatever you want it to be! A conservatory is a wonderful addition to any home but sometimes, it’s a lot harder to turn it into a space that is as beautiful as well as functional! If you already have the basics such as bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room covered, it’s pretty...