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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)
  • Eco-friendly housing scheme opens in Wallasey, Merseyside
    A new £4.1m development of 36 eco-friendly homes for rent has been opened at Rice Lane and Springfield Place in Wallasey. Residents and local school representatives joined members of Cosmopolitan Housing Association, Wirral Council and the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), to witness the... 21 February 2012
  • Stockport scheme on track to help get Britain building
    A housing and regeneration development in Stockport has been identified as one of 18 schemes to potentially receive funding under the Government's £420 million Get Britain Building Programme. The 41-home second phase of development at Hopes Carr, part of the Covent Garden Village regeneration... 20 February 2012
  • Appointments to the HCA Regulation Committee
    The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government today announced the appointment, following open competition, of four non-executives members to the Homes and Communities Agency's new Regulation Committee: Piers Williamson Jane May Richard Moriarty Jim Coulter They will... 20 February 2012
  • Future secured for Wakefield country parks
    Wakefield Council has received notification from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) that the Government has agreed in principle to the release of £4.9m funding for the long-term management and maintenance of three country parks. read more 20 February 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. Artist impression of The Hub - being proposed as a link between residential and commercial development on the site read more 31 January 2012
  • Multi-million pound scheme in Bootle, Merseyside complete
    Keepmoat gathered with partners last week to celebrate the completion of a £2m scheme comprising new retail accommodation and apartments in Bootle. Stakeholders congregated with Keepmoat at Stanley Road to celebrate the official completion that has successfully transformed and regenerated the... 13 February 2012
  • 100th family moves into Coventry's Spirit Quarters
    Local residents welcomed neighbours to their new home after Coventry's largest housing redevelopment saw the completion of its 100th property. Mike and Cherlyn Rees, who previously lived on the Woodloes Estate in Warwick, purchased their three-bedroomed semi at Spirit Quarters making them the... 13 February 2012
  • Villagers celebrate new homes in Helmdon, Northants
    Award-winning affordable housing provider South Northants Homes (SNH) is celebrating the completion of much needed new rural homes for local people. The new homes are the first to be completed with new investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) in the village of Helmdon and mark a... 13 February 2012
  • Affordable supported-living homes for local people in Kent
    Local people with enduring mental health needs will benefit from The Hyde Group's new supported housing development in Maidstone, Kent. The development was officially opened recently by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Brian Mortimer. Pippin Court in Tonbridge Road consists of 11 one bedroom homes... 13 February 2012
  • 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

South West Observatory Update

SWO Newsletter (Winter 2012)
Click to download the latest SWO newsletter
> ECONOMICS & THE ECONOMY OF 2012 - Join SWO in Taunton on 14 March for an economics masterclass looking at the economy in 2012 and the prospects for the South West. Find out more.
> NEW LOCAL PROFILES 2012- Download our new series of Local Statistical Profiles, covering all Upper Tier areas in the South West. See our profiles.
> CONSULTATIONS - SWO responds to ONS 'Beyond 2011' and 'National Wellbeing Domains and Measures' consultations. Read what we said. 
> RIG MEETING - You can now view presentations on the Census 2011 from the ONS and from Devon County Council from the recent SWO Regional Intelligence Group meeting. View these now.
> 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
Take an interactive tour of the SWO network (requires Flash player)
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Tweets from the Homes and Communities Agency via Twitter
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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