New statistics which were published by the Department for “Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC)” show that 128,400 applications were submitted to district-level planning authorities in England seeking planning permission between the months of April and June 2021.

This is an increase of 45% when compared with the same quarter last year, when the country was in and coming out of the first lockdown implemented to stem the spread of Covid-19.

District-level planning authorities granted 99,200 decisions, up by 38% compared with April to June 2020.

Of the major applications considered, 87% were decided within 13 weeks or the agreed time, two percentage points less than in the same quarter in 2020.

The statistical release states that 9,600 residential applications were granted between April and June 2021, 5% more than a year earlier. This breaks down to 1,200 major and 8,400 minor developments.

It also states that 2,000 commercial development applications were granted in April to June 2021, 19% more than the same period in 2020 and 68,900 householder applications were decided, a 59% increase on April to June 2020.

A total of 351,700 decisions were granted in the year ending June 2021, 9% more than the year ending June 2020. Of these, 39,500 residential developments were granted – 5,100 major and 34,300 minor developments, down by 3% and 6% respectively.

Planning Applications in England: April to June 2021 can be found on the UK Government website (pdf).

(source: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/news/article/796/planning_news_-_30_september_2021)

Landlord Orofena St John has been issued with a penalty for building a number of extensions and converting them into seven flats and two bedsits without planning permission.

Brent Council had issued St John, owner of 39 Clarendon Gardens, two enforcement notices in 2017. These required her to demolish the extensions and restore the premise back to one house.

The notices were ignored, so the council took the matter to court. In 2019 St John was convicted of breaching the notices, and the matter was referred to Harrow Crown Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

These proceedings also revealed that St John was in breach of an enforcement notice issued to 13 The Paddocks, a property that had similarly been illegally converted into two homes. Rooms were being rented out to multiple students on a short-term basis without permission.

On 1 September, the court ordered St John to pay £111,582.57 for the income received from illegally renting the properties to tenants for a profit and she was fined £18,000 in council legal costs and £15,000 for the breach of the notices.

Shama Tatler, lead member for regeneration, property & planning at Brent Council, said: “This is a significant win for Brent. This penalty sends a clear message that people will not be allowed to get away with ignoring planning laws and renting out properties illegally.

“These laws are in place to protect our residents from being exploited in inferior accommodation and to ensure that Brent’s environment is a great place for everyone to live in.”

(Source: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/news/article/796/planning_news_-_30_september_2021)