'Use It Or Lose It' – Haven't We Been Here Before?

Summary

Confirmation that the Government is examining new ways to increase build out rates could see the introduction of levies where planning permissions are not built out as expected.  In this blog we remind ourselves that these ideas have been considered before and there were good reasons why they have not to date come to fruition.  But maybe Government has found a new way.

The recurring issue of ‘build out rates', which is the gap between the grant of planning permission and delivery of development (including much needed housing supplies), did not feature in the Government's proposals for planning reform consulted on in last year's Planning White Paper, or in the Planning Bill that will be introduced to Parliament this year.