INNOVATION IN HOUSING & PLANNING Levvel About Us Private Sector Public Sector Case Studies Testimonials News & Views FAQs Contact International CURRENT NEWS V Positive Budget for Housing ... more     V Affordable rent decision expected within months, housing sector learns ... more     V Levvel, busier than ever - Levvel awarded East Herts contract ... more     V Housing Development Consultant Vacancies ... more     V What can housing expect from the autumn statement? ... more     V Radical changes needed for private rented sector - Sir Adrian Montague's review ... more     V Renegotiation of Section 106 planning obligations: Consultation ... more     V RICS release final guidance note - Financial viability in planning ... more     V Poole CIL Examination - Council drops differential CIL charge ... more     V Stuart Woodward attends Poole CIL Examination ... more     V Levvel awarded Bolsover District Council contract ... more     V Greater Manchester Pension Fund to pay for new homes ... more     V The States of Jersey - Affordable homes 'not a pipedream' ... more     V Housing strategy receives mixed reaction ... more     V Housing strategy: at a glance ... more     V Levvel advise States of Jersey on Affordable Housing ... more     V Stuart Woodward at the Saudi Arabia Social Housing Development Summit ... more     V Levvel advise at Saudi Arabia Social Housing Development Summit ... more     V Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing ... more     V First Buy Scheme can help developers with affordable housing contribution ... more     V Land auctions, an international idea introduced in the UK Budget ... more     V Levvel and the RICS' work with UN FAO on Land Tenure Governance ... more     V The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) releases details of its new strategy to leverage private investment to provide more affordable homes ... more   V Stuart Woodward invited to attended United Nations' workshop on 'Implementing Responsible Governance of Tenure ... more     V Stuart Woodward gives the international perspective at televised panel discussion at RICS India Affordable Housing Conference ... more     V RICS Report on Affordable Housing ... more     V Stuart Woodward of Levvel to speak at RICS India Affordable Housing Conference ... more     V Levvel secure two new housing viability studies ... more     V Levvel, International Knowledge Partner at RICS India Affordable Housing Conference ... more     V Non housing land - new viability study by Levvel ... more     V David Cameron announces plan to end lifetime council tenancies ... more     V Social housing waiting lists could swell by half a million ... more     V Raynsford appointed Olympics homes company chairman ... more     V Anxiety over government's housing revolution ... more     V Further Viability Study Secured by Levvel in Stafford ... more     V Scottish private sector housebuilding at 30-year low ... more     V Cuts threaten housing with arrested development ... more     V Impact of Government spending review on the HCA ... more     V Boris warns Conservatives to maintain affordable housing investment ... more     V Gaining ground - Planning article Levvel's response ... more V Darlington Borough Council appoints Levvel to provide viability appraisal ... more V January Housing Update ... more V Levvel commences work on new sub regional viability study! ... more V Pre Budget Report ... more V Levvel really enjoyed the Cobham half-day seminar ... more V Levvel's approach in Wokingham gets approval from The Planning Inspectorate ... more V Levvel seminar - a big hit with developers and land owners ... more V Levvel launches a series of seminars ... more V Levvel completes study for Fareham Borough Council ... more V Levvel completes study for Waveney District Council ... more V Levvel speak at international housing conference ... more V Funding concerns for affordable housing ... more V Robust viability assessment upheld at recent appeals ... more V Levvel secures major international contract ... more V Levvel selected to advise on viability in Stafford ... more V Levvel appointed for viability study in Manchester ... more V Success for Levvel at Poole core strategy examination in public ... more V Affordable housing planning conditions ... more V Appeal court outlines need for viability assessments ... more V Levvel completes Wokingham affordable housing viability study... more V Local Spatial Planning and PPS12 ... more V Lifetimes homes ... more V CIL ... more V Withdrawal of paper on valuation of affordable housing land in Scotland ... more V Ecotowns ... more V Intermediate Housing and the downturn ... more V Levvel wins Wokingham affordable housing viability study ... more V Levvel opens new London Office ... more     Positive Budget for Housing HBF 22 March 2013 Housing measures were a prominent part of the Budget on Wednesday. Measures included; Commercial to residential use – The Government is going to examine whether amendments to Investment Regulated Pensions Scheme can be used to encourage the conversion of unused commercial space into residential property. Help to Buy – A mortgage guarantee scheme to increase the availability of mortgages to consumers who can only raise the funds for small deposits. Help to Buy (equity loan) – From April 1st 2013 Help to Buy (equity loan) will be open to all who aspire to own a new build home: - - Provide an equity loan worth up to 20% of the value of the new build home, repayable once the home is sold. - Significantly widen the eligibility criteria for shared equity to ensure as many people as possible are able to benefit. The maximum home value will be £600,000 and there will be no income cap restraint. - Ensure that the scheme is open not only to first time buyers but also to those moving up the housing ladder. Government looking into ways to stop the measure being used for second home purchases. Social Rent – 2015-16 spending round the Government will set out a social rental policy that will give certainty to landlords until 2025. Pay to Stay – Landlords will be able to charge market rents to social tenants with a combined income of more than £60,000 a year. All additional income must be reinvested in housing. Right to Buy – From the 25th March in London the discount cap will be raised to £100,000 from £75,000. Right to Buy – The entire process will be simplified for both LA’s and tenants. Right to Buy – Tenants will only have to wait 3 years before they're eligible, it used to be 5 years. Build to Rent – The Build for Rent fund will be expanded from £200 million originally announced to £1 billion. Zero Carbon Homes – "The Government is committed to implementing 'zero carbon homes' from 2016. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) will publish a detailed plan, setting out its response to the 2012 consultation on the energy efficiency requirements in building regulations, by May 2013. The Government will then consult on next steps, including on the means of delivering allowable solutions, by Summer Recess." Extension to affordable homes guarantee programme – The existing affordable homes guarantee will be doubled, providing a further £225 million to support the building of 15,000 new affordable homes. Public Land Disposals – DCLG have invited bids from eligible public land holders for the £290 million worth of funding, allocated to accelerate surplus public land disposals at Autumn Statement 2012. In addition, around 30 sites will transfer to the HCA, who will dispose of them quickly. SDLT Rates – As announced in Dec 2012 the Government will introduce further reliefs to the 15% rate of SDLT which applies to residential properties valued at over £2 million purchased by certain non-natural persons. REITs – The Government will legislate to allow a UK REIT to treat income from another UK REIT as income of its tax exempt property rental business. The Government is further considering the case for REITs bring included in the definition of "institutional investor". Judicial Review – The Ministry of Justice has consulted on shortening time limits for bringing a planning judicial review and will set out its plans in spring 2013. Planning Use Class – The Government will consult on further flexibilities between use classes to support change of use from certain agricultural and retail uses to residential use to increase responsiveness within the planning system. Planning Guidance – Looking to Lord Matthew Taylor’s recommendations the Government will review planning guidance, with greater focus on market signals to ensure land is allocated where it needs to go. Land Auctions Feasibility Study – DCLG is continuing with the public sector land auctions model and will work with HM Treasury to conduct a feasibility study into wider use of the model. Business Bank – Launch a £300 million investment scheme to help diversify and expand the supply of lending to SMEs and mid-sized businesses. Provide an additional £50 million for the Business Angel Co-Investment fund. Finally publish the banks first strategy; this will set out an accelerated timetable as to how the bank will direct its £1 billion of new capital to improve existing access to finance for SMEs and develop by 2014 a lasting institution that will diversify the UK finance markets so that they serve SMEs. Read full story on HBF website

CONTACT HEAD OFFICE Tel:+44 (0)1202 639444 Email: click here NEWS & VIEWS V Positive Budget for Housing ... more >> V Affordable rent decision expected within months, housing sector learns ... more >> NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK Last year, the Government announced the National Planning Policy Framework. Levvel welcome informal queries from previous, current or potential new clients on the impact that the new framework will have on their project, be they a local authority, developer or landowner. Please contact us on 01202 639444 to see how we can assist. LEVVEL JOB VACANCIES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT VACANCIES Bournemouth / London based Levvel are expanding their team and looking to recruit development consultants in the Bournemouth and London office. We are looking for self-motivated, confident, independent and innovative thinkers who can relate and communicate well to a broad range of people from different professions. more >>

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