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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)
  • South Bristol's regeneration takes major step forward
    Proposals to transform part of Knowle West in Bristol with new homes, employment opportunities and improved open space have been submitted to planners by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The HCA has submitted an outline planning application to Bristol City Council regenerate its land at... 07 February 2012
  • New housing development at disused Durham hospital
    Work has started on a £40 million housing development on the site of the former Shotley Bridge near Consett in County Durham. It will create 240 new homes over the next seven years and bring a major jobs boost to the area. read more 06 February 2012
  • Lancashire housing association claims first start on site payment
    Adactus Housing Association is the first housing association anywhere in the country to make a successful start on site claim under the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA) Affordable Homes Programme. The payment has been made on a scheme of 16 two bedroom apartments at Flixton in Trafford, near... 06 February 2012
  • Strong response to Get Britain Building
    The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) today confirmed that it has received a strong response under the £420m Get Britain Building Programme, and announced the first funding allocations under a special commissioning stage running alongside the main bidding process. read more 01 February 2012
  • East Devon's new community celebrates further progress
    School children got a real taste for what life will be like in the new community of Cranbrook in East Devon when they recently visited the site where their new primary school and a community building are being constructed. At a ceremony held on the site of phase one of Cranbrook, off the old A30... 06 February 2012
  • First turf cut for £77m Wiltshire housing scheme
    Construction has started on a £77m housing scheme that will deliver 350 new affordable rented homes in west Wiltshire. Persimmon Homes, its sister company Westbury Partnerships, Wiltshire Council, Aster Communities and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) all joined forces in Westbury for the... 03 February 2012
  • Vision for Harrow Town Centre open for consultation
    Harrow Council's proposed vision for the future of Harrow Town Centre, Wealdstone and Station Road, referred to collectively as the Heart of Harrow, is now out for consultation. read more 31 January 2012
  • Developer announced for Manor Kingsway in Derby
    The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Derby City Council have agreed a deal to create around 700 new homes for the city. The HCA and the Council have worked together to prepare the old Manor and Kingsway Hospital site ready for new housing and a business park - and they have now appointed... 31 January 2012
  • Sports Academy opened by Newcastle United manager
    Four Housing Group, a not-for-profit housing provider in the North East, with funding of £1.7m from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has opened a new £2.7m facility in conjunction with local football club, Redheugh Boys Club, for young and vulnerable people in Gateshead. read more 31 January 2012
  • Redcar celebrates eco homes launch
    Residents of South Bank, who have seen hundreds of houses demolished in recent times, are celebrating the first new home in the area for 20 years read more 30 January 2012
Annual Report Front Cover 2010/11
Out Now!
South West Observatory Update

> RESEARCH & STATISTICS TRAINING - (Feb / March) Following on from the success of last autumn's research and statistics training courses, SWO and Plymouth University are offering training courses for early 2012 focusing on Quantitative Research and Design, Qualitative Research and Design and Detailed Survey Design. To benefit from this training, sign up to reserve your place now.
> NEW EVENT - ECONOMICS & THE ECONOMY OF 2012 - SWO has just announced a new training course for early spring (March 14) looking at economics and the economy of 2012. Delivered by Nigel Jump, this one-day masterclass will help delegates better understand the current economic climate and consider the prospects and needs of local economies in 2012. Find out more. 
> NEW CONSULTATION REPLIES ON WELLBEING AND 'BEYOND 2011' - Read SWO's latest consultation replies to ONS consultations on measuring national wellbeing and 'Beyond 2011' / Census. SWO Consultations.
> ARE YOU ASSOCIATED? - SWO wants to improve its flexibility to respond to calls for analytical expertise and research commissions. If you are interested in being a SWO associate register your interest via SWO Associates.

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