IC vehicle ban on new housing developments?
Discussion
The village where I have my workshop is going through a process to identify sites for new housing, and has had a response from a firm of planning consultants presumably acting for a developer. Apart from demolishing four very nice houses "to improve plot utilisation" and clearing 1.5 hectares of broadleaf woodland, they are suggesting that it should be written into the title deeds that only zero emissions vehicles are allowed at the new properties. It is unclear whether this also applies to visitors. Their proposal also includes throwing in a new BEV with every house sale. Again, whether they mean a Tesla or an e-scooter is not clear.
Genuine question: why? We already have a timetable for all new cars to be BEVs by 2035: why would developers want to force the pace like this? If you buy one of these houses and then fancy an old classic car or bike, tough: you literally will not be allowed to own one, unless you keep it somewhere away from your own property. Anyone else come across this kind of restriction being proposed, or is this just a one-off from a developer who has been smoking something they shouldn't have?
Genuine question: why? We already have a timetable for all new cars to be BEVs by 2035: why would developers want to force the pace like this? If you buy one of these houses and then fancy an old classic car or bike, tough: you literally will not be allowed to own one, unless you keep it somewhere away from your own property. Anyone else come across this kind of restriction being proposed, or is this just a one-off from a developer who has been smoking something they shouldn't have?
chrisch77 said:
It sounds like a desperate attempt from a developer or planning consultant to try to get a favourable response from the council planning committee, to allow a housing development where it is unlikely to be passed under normal considerations.
Absolutely. A way of saying they’re “offsetting” the destruction of woodland with a green alternative.230TE said:
Genuine question: why?
chrisch77 said:
It sounds like a desperate attempt from a developer or planning consultant to try to get a favourable response from the council planning committee, to allow a housing development where it is unlikely to be passed under normal considerations.
^^^ This.The UK Planning system requires that all houses are built in 'sustainable' locations, and the definition of 'sustainable' is based upon whether you have access to all the needs of daily living (shops, schools, healthcare, employment, etc.) without having to use private transport.
I'm speculating without more information, but it's possible that the location of the site isn't very sustainable, and the insistence on EV's is a way of mitigating this.
I obviously don't know the woodland in question but if its good quality broadleaf woodland with mature native trees it is very sad that developments get away with being allowed to cut them down. They often get permission on condition that they replant some chappy saplings, or just chop them down anyway and take the fine (if they get prosecuted that is). Wish there was more legislation in place to prevent it. There are plenty of other sites that don't need trees cutting down. I might get called a tree hugger, but there are some very non descript building and structures out there that have more protection than out mature woodland and ancient trees.
I've certainly been woken up on occasion by people idling vehicles (especially diesels) in the street outside my house.
So one potential attraction for purchasers would be increased peace and quiet, as potentially only EVs would be permitted in the area in front of the new houses.
As I understand it, anyone can offer a house for sale with any conditions they wish, and it's up to the buyer whether they wish to buy under such conditions, and whether they value the house less as a result.
chrisch77 said:
It sounds like a desperate attempt from a developer or planning consultant to try to get a favourable response from the council planning committee, to allow a housing development where it is unlikely to be passed under normal considerations.
As a planning consultant I'd agree, and it's either the idea of a poor planning consultant or the developer. Completely unenforceable.Years ago, and even now, many estates had restrictive covenants to forbid the parking of commercial vehicles - vans, lorries etc. Now everyone is a self-employed company director and vans and pickups abound.
I'm aware of new build estates that stipulate only one vehicle per household only. Invariably you get people who buy them and insist on parking their company van as well as their family car, by dumping it on verges.
I'm aware of new build estates that stipulate only one vehicle per household only. Invariably you get people who buy them and insist on parking their company van as well as their family car, by dumping it on verges.
Equus said:
^^^ This.
The UK Planning system requires that all houses are built in 'sustainable' locations, and the definition of 'sustainable' is based upon whether you have access to all the needs of daily living (shops, schools, healthcare, employment, etc.) without having to use private transport.
I'm speculating without more information, but it's possible that the location of the site isn't very sustainable, and the insistence on EV's is a way of mitigating this.
That makes sense. Village in question is in a quiet rural location with very few local jobs outside farming, poor public transport, one oversubscribed primary school, and the roads in and out mostly have grass growing down the middle. My customers always get lost trying to get there. It's a silly place to build lots of new houses IMO.The UK Planning system requires that all houses are built in 'sustainable' locations, and the definition of 'sustainable' is based upon whether you have access to all the needs of daily living (shops, schools, healthcare, employment, etc.) without having to use private transport.
I'm speculating without more information, but it's possible that the location of the site isn't very sustainable, and the insistence on EV's is a way of mitigating this.
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