Council receives housing and planning cash boost

12.01.14pm GMT Wed 3rd Sep 2008

• THE Council's planning services has been awarded one of the highest Housing and Planning Delivery Grants in London.

Richmond Council has been awarded £340,000 by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) in recognition of the progress the Council is making in developing a new development strategy and addressing local housing needs. The grant, which is part of a £100m government fund, to incentivise improved housing delivery, is awarded according to criteria such as developing a strong Local Development Framework (LDF), working jointly with other boroughs on strategic planning and providing land for new housing. The Council was awarded £228,000 for its plan making; £72,000 for providing a five year supply of land for housing - which equals up to 1,500 housing units; and £38,000 for its work on developing a Joint West London Waste Development Planning Document.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "The grant allocation is excellent and illustrates how effective the Council has been in progressing the Local Development Framework in a timely fashion, while ensuring that the views of residents are carefully taken into account at each stage of the process. There is a limited amount of land suitable for housing in this borough and the Council gives a high priority to protecting the historic environment and open spaces. However, we are being responsible in ensuring that there is a supply of land for much needed housing and we are following best practice in working with other West London boroughs on a Joint Waste Plan."