Will Sullivan’s Post

The final implementation of the NSW TOD SEPP has just been released today! Hot off the presses, here is PropCode's analysis of the new rules. In the selected station catchments, to a distance of 400m, these are the new SEPP rules for mid-rise #residential developments: - Residential flat buildings will be permitted in residential zones (R1, R2, R3, R4) and local centre zone (E1) - Shop top housing will be permitted in local and commercial centre zones (E1, E2) - Max height of 22m for residential flat building and 24m for shop top housing - Max FSR of 2.5:1 - Minimum site width of 21m - Zero minimum site area - At least 2% affordable housing; for projects with GFA > 2000 sqm, this contribution must be physically delivered on the site and kept in perpetuity The SEPP includes official maps delineating the exact catchment boundaries, so no one will need to work out their own definition of "400m distance". Just 18 of the 37 selected stations will take effect now, and DAs can be lodged with the new rules from 13 May. The Govt estimates this reform will eventually allow for 170,000 new #dwellings. Using the PropCode database, I can easily see how the new minimum site width of 21m, and the limited initial set of 18 stations, affect the total impact of the reform. (Check out your property in our free database lookup here, which now reflects the details from today's announcement: https://lnkd.in/gPreXgJS ) The four Ku-ring-gai stations, being subdivided residential with larger than average lots, have the most TOD-eligible lots with 60-80 sites in each station catchment. Lidcombe and Newcastle Interchange, with their existing high FSRs, could each deliver nearly 6,000 dwellings with the new rules. On the other hand, Central Coast & Newcastle stations like Morisset, Woy Woy, Booragul, and Kotara are among the more limited ones with less than 20 sites each. Turrella and Kotara both have potential for less than 500 new dwellings based on the new site width and FSR rules, raising the question of how much #analysis went into the NSW Govt's screening process. Stay tuned to PropCode to keep on top of complex changes to #planning rules!

In a twist no one saw coming - the NSW planning reform for higher density around train stations has proven so popular with Councils that up to 8 more stations are being added! Today's announcement says that Cardiff, Cockle Creek, Belmore, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Woy Woy will be added to the proposed TOD SEPP, and Coniston and Unanderra are being investigated for addition. Another big part of today's announcement is the timing of the rollout. Now the NSW Govt has clarified that only half of these 39 stations will come into effect this month. The rest will be phased over the next 12 months, especially for Councils that have "worked with the department" on alternative #housing plans. At PropCode, our database and technology has made it very easy to analyse the impacts of these #planning #reforms. We are offering a totally free property lookup that shows how the reforms impact an individual #property, based on existing and proposed planning controls and true walking distance measurements. We can also provide bulk data extracts that would be valuable for site searching/filtering. I'm excited to say we have already updated this data with the 8 new stations in this morning's announcement! Come check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gPreXgJS We'll give a further update when the SEPP gets officially enacted.

Latest planning stats make for dismal reading... Capturing the final months of the Conservative government, they show that between April and June this year, only 7,609 housing projects were granted permission in England, the lowest level since records began. This underlines the extent of the government's housing challenge. Thanks Akanksha Soni for covering our Knight Frank analysis for EG. Article is live here: https://lnkd.in/e4_UCt7K (original link below has been moved). On an annual basis, residential plans granted have fallen to 31,556 in the 12 months to end June, also a record low – and a decline of 8% from the year before. It is the number of planning applications brought forward by developers that has fallen sharply. Councils are not rejecting a much higher percentage of applications. Far from it, the approval rate for residential applications remains stable at above 70%. Kristy Watt Oliver Knight

The introduction of Bill 185, known as the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, represents a significant step by Ontario's provincial government in its efforts to streamline processes and accelerate housing development. With a goal of constructing 1.5 million homes by 2031, this legislation aims to address barriers hindering the timely delivery of housing projects. Key changes proposed by Bill 185 include expanded powers for municipalities to enforce "use it or lose it" requirements for land use approvals, amendments to development charges regulations, and further limitations on third-party appeal rights. Additionally, the bill introduces procedural changes aimed at enhancing efficiency in the development approval process. Simultaneously, the Province has released an updated draft of the Provincial Planning Statement, reflecting its commitment to aligning land use policies with the goal of facilitating sustainable growth and development. These legislative initiatives hold significant implications for developers, planners, and stakeholders involved in the construction and land development sectors. The proposed changes have the potential to reshape the regulatory landscape and impact the feasibility and timelines of housing projects across the province. As the consultation period for Bill 185 and the Provincial Planning Statement remains open, stakeholders have the opportunity to provide feedback and shape the final policies that will govern Ontario's planning and development framework. In light of these developments, the question arises: How can stakeholders in the construction industry leverage these legislative changes to overcome existing challenges and accelerate housing development in Ontario? #Bill185 #OntarioHousing #LandUsePlanning #DevelopmentRegulations #ConstructionIndustry

While the numbers will vary from state to state and country to country, it appears that one can take the horse to water - reduce 'planning barriers' for developers - but you cannot make it/them drink - build out all the planning consents they already have. I know the answer, speed up planning ! Give the private sector more planning approvals! Upzone everywhere! Trigger warning: neither life nor business is that simple! And don't blame developers for this. It's not their business to maximise production whatever the market conditions. It's silly to expect them to do so. Those who have theoretical models showing upzoning will increase output should add 'all other things being equal' as a caution. Because all things will not be equal.

https://lnkd.in/gaHKj8EC 🌟The Future of Affordable Housing Starts Here! 🏡 Curious about how Cambridge, home to the most prestigious universities in the world, is making affordable housing a reality? In this video, we break down Affordable Housing Overlay’s ("AHO") role in accelerating development of affordable units and easing regulatory burdens. Find out why this overlay is a game-changer for affordable housing developers and residents alike. Watch now to understand the big picture! Tune into the Latest Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast as we covered: ✅ The AHO’s impact on density and height limits ✅ Learn how AHO streamlines the approval process ✅ See how AHO is already influencing future projects and how it led to 700+ Affordable Housing units in the pipeline already! Don't forget to FOLLOW @councillorsiddiqui and support her campaign at: https://lnkd.in/gm4WGESs as we strive to create more affordable housing together! 📢 DISCLAIMER - ALL INFORMATION & DETAILS SHARED ARE MEANT TO BE FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT LEGAL, FINANCIAL, INSURANCE, TAX, OR INVESTMENT ADVICE. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR ANY INVESTMENTS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH IN ANY FORM. 📌 All investments have risks. This is not an offer to purchase securities. 📌Check out https://lnkd.in/gFFU843V to stay up to date on our latest content and project updates by joining our community full of Affordable Housing investors! Check out https://lnkd.in/gFFU843V to stay up to date on our latest content and project updates by joining our community full of Affordable Housing investors!

We have been looking at the proposals for planning reform from each of the main political parties - more on that soon. The Reform UK contract was published today and I could not help but notice their proposal for ‘Loose Fit' planning for large residential developments with pre-approved guidelines and developer requirements. If you are of a certain age, you'll understand why the lack of detail here has been 'twisting my melon' but there is at least a recognition of the importance of delivering housing at scale and the need to put a 'step on' it. #planningreform #happymondays

We are pleased to announce that our Managing Director, Ravi Pankhania recently featured in Property Week!   The article delves into the pressing issue of housing scarcity and explores innovative solutions to make a difference. It also emphasises the urgent need to revamp both strategy and regulations, particularly focusing on reform of planning systems as a crucial starting point.   Importantly, Ravi highlights the critical role of partnerships in achieving favourable outcomes for developers, homeowners, and government entities.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ep9KR7ph. #Property #Development #Strategy #Government #Housing

Ontario's recent unveiling of Bill 185, known as the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, marks the next step in the Province's quest to address housing challenges. The Bill, introduced on April 10, 2024, is part of an effort to streamline processes and accelerate the #construction of 1.5 million homes by 2031. Some of the “red tape” being cut includes removing the requirement for pre-consultation meetings, and further limiting third-party appeal rights. In an effort to impel action by those with subdivision and site plan approvals already, the Province has also introduced lapsing provisions, meaning developers will now need to “use it or lose it”. Read more from lawyers Kailey Sutton, Annik Forristal, Marc Kemerer and Patrick Pinho here: https://bit.ly/3Jqw0JW #ontariolaw #infrastructure

MY TOP THREE PLANNING STORIES OF THE WEEK 🥇🥈🥉 My selection of planning stories from the w/c 26 August below. 1.   New Homes Accelerator Further information has been released on the New Homes Accelerator, an initiative first announced in July. The Government says this will aim to “unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be”. Government say initial analysis suggests there may be more than 200 sites with outline or detailed permission where work on site has delayed, with the potential to deliver up to 300,000 homes. The Accelerator is to identify and address specific thematic issues causing delays, deploy expert teams to provide on-the-ground support to local authorities, utilise resources to unblock and accelerate delivery and inform future reforms to housing and planning policy. Developers, local authorities and landowners are invited to identify large-scale housing developments that are delayed or stuck before 11:59 on 31 October. 2.   Realising the full potential of Greater Cambridge The Housing Minister has written to local leaders in Greater Cambridge about the area’s “vital role to play in this Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth”. The letter highlights the city’s strengths in knowledge-intensive businesses and its unique innovation ecosystem, with strong connections between investors, researchers, businesses and local government. However, the letter also acknowledges that significant barriers remain to realising the area’s full potential and that the Housing Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister are “determined to help remove them and overcome the issues that have held up planned development for essential housing and laboratory space”. The letter calls for a reset of the work and relationship between central government and local partners and invites an in-person discussion in the near future. 3.   ONS figures on housebuilding released This week the ONS released figures showing housing starts for Q1 2024 in the UK were 29,829, down just under 34% from the 44,940 housing starts in the same period in 2023. Housing completions for Q1 2024 were 38,400, down around 15% from the 45,090 completions in the same period in 2023. #planning #Cambridge #top3