NEWS
Changes to ‘village green’ status to encourage more building
Changes to the village green system that have just come into force could stop blocks to local development, the Government has announced.
The designation protects land regularly used for recreation if it can be proved it has been used in such a way for at least 20 years. But the law has regularly been used by campaigners trying to prevent new building, and some have even tried to get ‘village green’ status for things like car parks and beach huts, and the LGA has said councils are forced to waste millions dealing with such applications. The Open Spaces Society, however, says there is “little evidence” of abuse.
The changes made in the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 mean that applications will have to be made within a year of the land’s
use, rather than two as before. The move could save local authorities £1.3m a year through reduced public enquiries and court cases, and £3.4m a year for businesses.
Rural affairs minister Richard Benyon said: “Towns across the country have been held back from getting the developments they want through misuse of the village green system. Rural communities need access to services like healthcare, schools and housing just as much as urban areas. These changes will allow that infrastructure to be built, creating jobs and economic growth.”
Stuart Ropke, assistant director of policy and research at the National Housing Federation, said: “Rural communities are some of the hardest hit by the housing crisis. A lack of housing means young people can’t stay where they grew
up and couples can’t put down roots in their village and raise a family. Local businesses such as pubs and shops, which are already struggling to stay open, face a bleak future.
“Building just a small number of homes will save these vibrant communities in Britain’s treasured countryside. Many want new homes, but opponents have often abused the system and attempted to declare available land a village green.
“Closing this loophole will help rural communities get the homes they so desperately need – housing local people, keeping schools and post offices open and helping rural communities to
stay alive.”
The DCLG is considering further restricting village green status following a consultation in the summer.
CCTV parking enforcement to be scrapped
Communities secretary Eric Pickles has announced reforms to stop ‘over-zealous’ parking enforcement, but the LGA has warned that parking controls are “absolutely essential”.
The new proposals include stopping the use of CCTV for on-street parking enforcement, and an open data project to allow the public to more easily find the best place to park.
The Government is consulting on tackling wrongly-issued fines, stopping unacceptable parking fine collection practices and reviewing unnecessary yellow lines.
Pickles said: “Excessive parking charges and unfair parking fines push up the cost of living, and undermine local high streets and shopping parades. We want to rein over-zealous parking enforcement, so it focuses on supporting high streets and motorists, not raising money.
“Parking spy cars are just one example of this and a step too far. Public confidence is strengthened in CCTV if it is used to tackle crime, not to raise money for council coffers.”
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin added: “Arbitrary parking rules force shoppers
online or to out of town stores, causing lasting damage to local firms and small shops.”
But Cllr Tony Ball, vice chairman of the LGA’s Economy and Transport Board, said: “Nobody likes getting a parking fine but the fact that less than 1% go to adjudication shows that in the vast majority of cases councils get it right.
“Income from on-street parking fines and charges is spent on parking services with any money left over spent on services like fixing potholes and providing subsidised bus travel to children and the elderly.”
Biggest-ever rise in adoptions in England
There has been a 15% increase in adoptions in England, the latest statistics show. Between April 2012 and March 2013 there were 3,980 adoptions, up from 3,470 the previous year.
This rise is higher than for any year since 1992, when comparable records began.
In March 2013 there were 68,110 children in care in England; a 2% rise from last year. 75% of these children were being fostered.
The Government is trying to increase adoption rates, but local councils warn that bureaucracy and delays in the legal system are still hampering this.
Children’s minister Edward Timpson said: “It is hugely encouraging that the number of children adopted from care has risen to the highest level yet – but too many children are still waiting too long for stable, loving homes. More needs to be done to recruit adoptive parents.”
Cllr David Simmonds, who chairs the LGA’s children and young people board, said: “It is heartening to see this record increase in the number of children being placed in loving homes.
“Councils have been working hard to recruit more adoptive mums and dads and are doing everything in their power to ensure that vulnerable children get the best start in life.
“We know that there is still much public sector executive Sep/Oct 13 | 13
more to be done, and it will be vital that government works with local authorities and not against us.”
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