"councils To Get Extra Cash For Allowing House Building"

[OnionTerror]

http://topnews.co.uk/210691-councils-get-extra-cash-allowing-house-building

Councils that allow new houses to be built will receive extra cash from government under a new scheme introduced to ease shortage of houses.

Under the new scheme, New Homes Bonus, the Government will match the amount raised in council tax on each new dwelling, for a period of six years. The money thus received by the councils could be used to slash council tax bills.

The money could also be used to build new amenities such as playgrounds, or to boost services such as rubbish collection. Under the scheme, if a council approves 100 average Band D homes, it will get £863,400.

Speaking on the initiative, Housing Minister Grant Shapps said, "We will not tell communities how or where to build. But the New Homes Bonus will ensure that those communities that go for growth reap the benefits of development, not just the costs.”

Grant Shapps added action is required encourage house building because previous government’s policies dragged house building to its lowest level since 1924.

[Discopants]

Sounds like a very sensible policy. As long as the council does actually spend some of the cash on local infrastructure.

[OnionTerror]

Will you see councils allowing developers to chuck housing up anywhere, just to get the subsidy?

[@contradevian]

Will you see councils allowing developers to chuck housing up anywhere, just to get the subsidy?

Not In My Back Yard

Edited August 8, 2010 by Sir John Steed

[Johnny Storm]

What a good idea. See those Torys do know what they are doing.

[fellow]

But we need a shortage of housing to keep property prices high.

[aa3]

10 out of 10 policy.

[Guest absolutezero]

What a good idea. See those Torys do know what they are doing.

I thought there was no money left....

[Executive Sadman]

Housebuilders often already must give councils large cash sums. Its just more public money tied up in the property merry go round. If the land price scam was done away with developers could stump up the difference AND build cheaper homes.

Ie in this case nearly £2million for 250 homes

http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Irthlingborough-is-set-to-get.4405164.jp

[Guest absolutezero]

What a good idea. See those Torys do know what they are doing.

I thought there was no money left....

[ralphmalph]

Will you see councils allowing developers to chuck housing up anywhere, just to get the subsidy?

Big Society thingy init.

Under Labour the central govt said on what land houses could be built, irresspective of local views. State control and the local councils said "Not our fault."

Now under the new lot the councils are responsible for where houses are built and so they will be very aware of local opinion because they can be voted out.

To stop the councils just not building any new houses the new lot have offered the one thing that the councils want more than anything - extra money.

Edited August 8, 2010 by ralphmalph

[LittleSteroid]

great news, when does this new scheme start?

[libspero]

Good short term solution (provided it is well managed).

Long term, we need better population control otherwise we will simply be in exactly the same position in 10/20 years time with even less greenbelt/countryside, more population/traffic density and worse water shortages and waste disposal issues.

[Bloo Loo]

you mean, the council, which we pay to manage the community, needs to be incentivised to do their very job??

how about if councils dont allow good housing, that one official every week is sacked....that saves money and will focus minds to the task.

[SarahBell]

"match the amount raised in council tax on each new dwelling"

So if they sit unsold and empty for 3 years or are too dear to rent no subsidy?

[Johnny Storm]

I thought there was no money left....

Did they pay you this month to do nothing, if so there is money left obviously!

[erranta]

Good short term solution (provided it is well managed).

Long term, we need better population control otherwise we will simply be in exactly the same position in 10/20 years time with even less greenbelt/countryside, more population/traffic density and worse water shortages and waste disposal issues.

Water shortages are deliberately created to maximise utility profits!

The Victorians managed to supply Manchester and surrounding district through underground tunnels from reservoir lakes 'created' in the Lake District such as Thirlmere!

Edited August 8, 2010 by erranta

[Guest absolutezero]

Did they pay you this month to do nothing, if so there is money left obviously!

No.

My "salary" is based on working 195 days a year.

Add it together and divide by 12 and pay me that much each month. That's why I get paid in August.

They could pay me monthly, weekly, daily or annually. I wouldn't care.

[MattW]

Didn't the last Labour Government already reverse the legislation to allow Local Authorities to build Council Housing (a bit late in the day)?

[Tired of Waiting]

http://topnews.co.uk/210691-councils-get-extra-cash-allowing-house-building

That is a very good policy.

I just hope the amount will be enough to motivate the councils. It is not much though.

[Tired of Waiting]

Sounds like a very sensible policy. As long as the council does actually spend some of the cash on local infrastructure.

Nah... no chance. It will just go into their salaries and pensions.

But, what can we do, either we bribe them, or they will keep blocking new housing, as they have been doing for half a century.

[Tired of Waiting]

Not In My Back Yard  

It may split the current alliance NIMBY + Local Govs.

But I think just 6 years of double council tax may not be enough. Let's see.

[Tired of Waiting]

But we need a shortage of housing to keep property prices high.

But the coalition wants prices to drop by 25% - I think real prices, during this parliament. (There is a thread about that, in the Forum top or 2nd page now.)

[Tired of Waiting]

Good short term solution (provided it is well managed).

Long term, we need better population control otherwise we will simply be in exactly the same position in 10/20 years time with even less greenbelt/countryside, more population/traffic density and worse water shortages and waste disposal issues.

The UK population was about 55 million some 40 years ago, IIRC, and it is now 61 or 62 million. Stop worrying. Really. Migration: some 5.5 million UK citizens live abroad, whilst some 6.5 million foreigners live here. Again, not such a big difference. And now net immigration is falling. Relax. Check some reliable data, and you will see it.

Edited August 8, 2010 by Tired of Waiting

[Johnny Storm]

So why did we need 6 posts all with a minute between them to keep this important topic at the topic of the list? (You're last excuse when I asked you why you did this on another topic)

Im going to report you to the moderators as I find it unacceptable.