Minister lowers level of support needed for Community Right to Build schemes

The Housing Minister has been forced to lower the percentage of local voters required to be in favour of a Community Right to Build project for the development to be allowed to go ahead.

The government had originally indicated that a project would require the backing of 90% of voters if it were to proceed without needing a specific planning permission. This has now been changed to 75%.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said it “became clear that there was a strong preference for a lower threshold”.

The Community Right to Build scheme will be included in the forthcoming Localism Bill.

Grant Shapps said: “Those plans that get 75% support in local referendums will no longer need to go to the Town Hall for approval – instead, work can begin much more quickly.

“I’ve listened to the views of the public that responded strongly to our consultation, and I believe this threshold strikes the right balance between enabling communities to go ahead with their plans for expansion, while at the same time ensuring the support of the overwhelming majority of the wider community.

“And I hope it gives rural towns and villages across the country the prompt they need to prepare for a new Right to Build as a solution to the housing challenges they face.”