The Planning Bill is designed to create a simpler, faster and more modern planning system – to replace the current one dating back to the post-Second World War era of 1947. But property professionals said the Bill must encourage the development of homes in more areas that are affordable for first-time buyers and people on low incomes. Tom Fyans, campaigns and policy director of CPRE (the Campaign to Protect Rural England) said the Planning Bill “risks creating a free-for-all for development”. The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill covering England and Wales will ensure leaseholders of new, long residential leases cannot be charged a financial ground rent for no tangible service. Freeholders breaking the new rules by charging ground rent could be fined up to £5,000.

Source: Irish Independent May 11, 2021 11:37 UTC