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Housing and Planning Module (South West Observatory)

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'Important decisions should be based on the best available evidence'

This is the website for the South West Observatory Housing and Planning Module with data, information and analysis about housing and planning in and about South West England.
The Housing and Planning Module is part of the Observatory network, which works towards evidence-based policy and decision making by drawing together research, resources and analysis across policy themes and from different local areas. We do this to build a clearer understanding of the issues affecting people living and working in this part of the country. Our aim, in common with other Observatory Thematic Modules, is to provide timely and accurate information for your work and decisions.

The Housing and Planning Module is provided by the Homes and Communities Agency (South and South West) and SWO Core Unit. Please let us know if you have any thoughts on how we could improve our site and, of course, email if you have any specific housing or planning-related questions that you need answers to.

*** See slides from the launch of the Housing and Planning Module - 29/11/2011***
HCA Planning Map
Find detailed information on planning in your local area
Housing and Planning Updates 
> INTERACTIVE PLANNING MAPS: Navigate between all local authority (upper tier/county and district) planning websites using our new interactive South and South West planning maps. Use the interactive planning maps now. 
> NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING: What is neighbourhood planning, why does it matter and what could it mean for your community? Find out in this new Neighbourhood Planning section.
> AFFORDABLE RURAL HOUSING E-LEARNING MODULE: Find out about the new HCA e-learning module covering affordable rural housing from 'Learn at HCA'. Covering land identification, planning, rural housing partnerships, community-led affordable housing, design and sustainability, local authority allocation processes and older and vulnerable people in rural areas, this 90 minute online module will help you get a better understanding of the issues and will highlight some of the best examples and sources to help in your work. Sign up. 
> NEW STATISTICAL RELEASE ON HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RELIEF 2010-11: For the first time this year year-on-year comparisons can be made on homelessness prevention and relief. Care should be taken as as more comprehensive reporting by local authorities over time is known to be a contributing factor to the rise in activity seen in the past two years, however figures point towards an increase in homelessness prevention. Read more here.
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News from the Homes and Communities Agency
(to subscribe to this automatic RSS feed, click on the blue icon to the right)
  • Ancoats apartments offer European approach to renting in Manchester
    Developer northerngroup has completed a flagship apartment scheme in the heart of Ancoats. The Ice Plant is a £12m development featuring 82 top specification one, two and three-bedroom apartments offering a European approach to renting in Manchester. read more 27 January 2012
  • The Hallé secures the development of St. Peter's Church in Ancoats, Manchester
    Manchester's Hallé Orchestra has announced an award of £702,000 from Viridor Credits Environmental Company to support the redevelopment of St. Peter's Church in Ancoats. The award was announced publicly at a special event on 14 October in Taunton to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Viridor... 14 October 2011
  • Young peoples hostel re-opens in Rossendale
    Following extensive re-furbishment, the hostel at No.1 Queen Street has re-opened. The £420,000 project was supported by £350,000 investment from the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA) Affordable Homes Programme, with Rossendale Borough Council providing the remaining funding. read more 23 January 2012
  • Wiltshire's £77m affordable homes scheme under way
    A £77m contract which will see 350 affordable homes built in West Wiltshire has been signed following Government approval. read more 20 January 2012
  • Swindon's £350m regeneration project gets the go-ahead
    The first phase of Swindon's £350m regeneration of Union Square is to start in the spring following the approval of plans to progress the scheme. read more 18 January 2012
  • Councils are central to tackling the housing crisis
    The challenging housing situation in the country will be improved if councils have greater involvement, according to a new report from the Local Government Association and the Homes and Communities Agency. The report, entitled 'Meeting Local Housing Demand', lays out many of the options available... 23 January 2012
  • Developer selected for Croydon regeneration scheme
    Barratt Developments has been chosen as the preferred development partner for the regeneration of Cane Hill, an 83 ha former hospital site in Coulsdon, Croydon. Following the conclusion of the competitive selection process, Barratt will work with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and... 19 January 2012
  • Major regeneration for Greenwich Peninsula
    The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced today that he has agreed a deal that will kick-start housing development on the Greenwich Peninsula, creating over 4,000 jobs in the construction of 1,350 new homes by the end of 2015 - a milestone in the delivery of this landmark South East London... 18 January 2012
  • Launch of HCA and English Heritage Guidance set to pave way for new approach to masterplanning
    The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and English Heritage today launched its first joint 'How to' Guide outlining a new development-led approach to masterplanning... The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and English Heritage today launched its first joint 'How to' Guide outlining a new... 12 October 2009
  • More affordable housing for Warwick
    W2, a 10 year joint venture between Warwick District Council and Waterloo Housing Group, has been formally agreed to deliver 300 affordable new homes over the next 3 years. Warwick is a much sought after location to live, work and visit, so there is a significant housing need in the district,... 16 January 2012
Annual Report Front Cover 2010/11
Out Now!
South West Observatory Update

> CONSULTATIONS - Read the latest SWO network response to the government's consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework. Read it here.
> TRAINING PROGRAMME - With courses covering introductory and intermediate statistics, quantitative and qualitative research and design methods, plus detailed survey design, find out more about the Autumn-Winter Training Programme and sign up while spaces are still available.

>SWO'S ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11 is now out. A PDF version will shortly be available to download via this site, but to request a hard copy of the report please email louise.maddocks@swo.org.uk with your name and postal address.

SWO News RSS Feed (click on this image to subscribe)
News from the South West Observatory Network
(to subscribe to this automatic RSS feed, click on the blue icon to the right)
  • SWO Responds to ONS Census Consultation - 'Beyond 2011'
    Read SWO's response to the latest ONS Consultation 'Beyond 2011': a consultation on the current user requirements for data and how these requirements are likely to change over the coming years. This response raised issues around up-to-date population statistics at ward level, Local Authority... 27 January 2012
  • Finding the Dots - January 2012. Out Now!
    The January edition of 'Finding the Dots', the Culture Module bulletin of research, events and publications has just been released. Download it now for all the latest on local, regional and national cultural research. 13 January 2012
  • UK GDP contracts by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2011
    GDP contracted by 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011, driven by weakness in the production sector. Growth in the construction sector was slightly negative and was flat in the service sector, so these two sectors made no contribution to GDP growth in the fourth quarter. Comparing... 25 January 2012
  • Future Homes Commission to look at Quality of New Homes
    The Future Homes Commission, chaired by business leader, Sir John Banham, is conducting a major national inquiry into the quality and delivery of newly built housing, and has announced a call for evidence, asking the public, housebuilding industry, architects, academia and policy makers to submit... 25 January 2012
  • SWO Responds to ONS Wellbeing Consultation
    SWO has today responded to the current ONS consultation on measuring national wellbeing. This consultation by the ONS is looking at proposed domains and measures for measuring national wellbeing. Click on the icon below to read SWO's response. 23 January 2012
  • A future for British Film
    'A Future for British Film - it begins with the audience' Lord Chris Smith. Download the Film Policy review, published yesterday (16/01/2012). 17 January 2012
  • Overseas Travel and Tourism - November 2011
    In the three months to November 2011, seasonally adjusted estimates of international visits to and from the UK fell by 1 per cent versus the previous three months. Earnings from visits to the UK fell 4 per cent while expenditure on visits abroad remained broadly the same. Longer term,... 12 January 2012
  • Index of Production - November 2011
    According to today's ONS Index of Production (November 2011), the seasonally adjusted Index of Production fell by 3.1 per cent in November 2011 compared with November 2010. The seasonally adjusted Index of Manufacturing fell by 0.6 per cent in November 2011 compared with November 2010. The... 12 January 2012
  • Public Consultation on Library Closures - One Day to go
    The public consultation on library closures ends on 12 January as part of the Library Closures Inquiry being conducted by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. With closures aleady announced by some local councils and legal action being, library services are a topical issue across the... 12 January 2012
  • The Right to Buy
    The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has published Reinvigorating Right to Buy and a one for one replacement: Consultation as announced in the November Housing Strategy. The consultation starts on 22 December 2011 and lasts for 6 weeks. Responses must be sent to the... 06 January 2012
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Popular Sections 
House Price (click to find the relevant section of the site)
Affordable Housing
Localism (click here to access the relevant section of the site)
Data Button (click here to access the data section)
Contact Us

> Please email any enquiries to planning@swo.org.uk

> If your enquiry is urgent, you can always contact us on 01823-447399

> Please address all written correspondence please to:

Housing and Planning Module, South West Observatory, East Reach House, Taunton, TA1 3EN