Latest news with #KevinHollinrake
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Angela Rayner's planning reforms will cover Britain in 'soulless settlements' of ugly houses, Tories warn as Starmer vows to use AI to speed up building
Labour 's vow to massively speed and scale up housebuilding will result in 'soulless settlements' sprawling across the countryside, a senior Tory warns today. Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake warned that measures being championed by Angela Rayner would lead to increased urban sprawl of concrete houses. He took aim at plans to use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill - which is being debated today and tomorrow in Parliament - to reclassify some of the green belt as lower-quality 'grey belt' land suitable for development. Ms Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, is fronting the Government's plans for 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Hollinrake said the bill is 'blatantly encouraging urban sprawl, increasing housing targets for councils outside of towns and cities whilst easing targets for cities like London '. He said: 'This will just create new, soulless settlements, take away our green belt, and make residents feel trapped and isolated hours away from their friends, work, and the amenities they need.' It came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer used a speech to vow to use AI to speed up the planning system. He told London tech Week that a system called Extract 'takes old, handwritten planning documents and puts them into digital form in seconds', increasing the rate at which they are processed twentyfold. 'It's a huge productivity boost and we want to roll that out,' the PM added. 'It doesn't just show that the government can innovate, it also means faster planning decisions, which I think comes as a relief to many people in this room and beyond—both in AI and in British business more broadly. 'And of course, it's money-saved for councils, so they can spend their money on other things. It turns into more growth and more opportunity.' However Mr Hollinrake argued that rather than building on the green belt, Labour should be 'gently densifying our existing towns and cities to resurrect lost communities'. 'This requires beautiful new homes and developments that bring nature and the life it brings back into the hearts of our towns and cities,' he wrote. 'Look at some of the most beautiful parts of our great cities, like Marylebone in London, with mid-rise, six-storey mansion blocks. No one would complain if this beautiful architecture were repeated elsewhere. 'But Labour showed it doesn't care for creating beautiful, connected communities when they shut the Office for Place. 'With Nicholas Boys Smith at the helm, it made sure new developments focused on building beautiful, green and connected communities. 'Without the Office for Place, there is nothing protecting communities from the bland, cookie-cutter houses that foster isolation. 'One and a half million new homes is an admirable ambition, but it means nothing if you don't build the communities and homes people actually want.' Last month Ms Rayner rejected claimed that Labour will be 'bulldozing over the greenbelt' or compromising on protections for nature to build homes faster. The Deputy Prime Minister said that proposals to give a boost to smaller developers, which will ease the requirements for them to pay to boost nature habitats, were 'pragmatism' and that the Government will be able to 'protect nature at the same time'. The Government has set out proposals to cut red tape and for planning decisions to be shifted away from councillors and towards expert officers as part of efforts to meet Labour's pledge to build 1.5 million homes by 2029-30. Trained planning officers rather than committees of elected councillors will be responsible for deciding on developments of up to nine homes under the plans, as well as most minor and technical applications. The Government is considering 'streamlining' requirements on biodiversity net gain including the option of a full exemption for those minor developments. Sites with 10 to 49 homes would fall in a new category for medium-sized developments with fewer costs, simplified biodiversity net gain rules and an exemption from the building safety levy.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Rayner housing blitz will flood Britain with ‘soulless settlements', Tories say
Labour will create 'soulless settlements' and encourage urban sprawl with its plans to overhaul the planning system, the shadow housing minister has said. Kevin Hollinrake said that Angela Rayner's plans will strip local residents of power over their own communities, and risks the proliferation of ugly 'cookie-cutter homes'. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which returns to the Commons this week, aims to speed up planning decisions in part by stripping local authorities of some decision-making powers. Labour plans to build 1.5 million new homes over the course of this Parliament, which they say will be possible in part with construction on poor-quality green belt, dubbed 'grey belt'. The Government has also reintroduced mandatory housing targets, totalling 370,000 homes a year, for local authorities. The Conservatives claim that the new legislation lacks sufficient protections for the character of England's smaller towns and villages, which could end up merging into the areas with the new settlements. 'Must build homes people want' Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Hollinrake said that the Bill 'starts by blatantly encouraging urban sprawl, increasing housing targets for councils outside of towns and cities whilst easing targets for cities like London'. He said: 'This will just create new, soulless settlements, take away our green belt, and make residents feel trapped and isolated hours away from their friends, work, and the amenities they need.' The shadow housing secretary also pointed to the Government scrapping the Office for Place, which was founded to devise how to make attractive and well-designed housing. 'Without the Office for Place, there is nothing protecting communities from the bland, cookie-cutter houses that foster isolation. 'One and a half million new homes is an admirable ambition, but it means nothing if you don't build the communities and homes people actually want.' 'We are taking decisive action' The Tories have tabled an amendment designed to enshrine in law the preservation of the historic character of historic villages and prevent them from merging with other settlements. The legislation will also see more powers given to Natural England, a quango, which will be tasked with drawing up 'environmental delivery plans' for new proposed developments. But Mr Hollinrake said that the organisation is 'grossly underprepared for such a nationally significant mission' and risks 'wasting taxpayers' money in the process'. A Government spokesman said: 'We completely reject these claims, which simply do not acknowledge the scale of the housing crisis [we] inherited. 'Through our Planning and Infrastructure Bill, along with our wider reforms, we are taking decisive action to speed up every stage of the planning process and deliver the homes and infrastructure we need. 'The Bill creates a win-win for nature recovery and development, including a new Nature Restoration Fund, which unblocks building by funding large scale protection of precious habitats and species.' Labour isn't creating greener, cleaner communities you're proud to be a part of – Conservatives are by Kevin Hollinrake Every person in Britain deserves a place they can call home. A community they can be proud to return to after a hard day's work. One that is safe, connected and prosperous, embodying the green and pleasant land that our nation should stand for. Without this, we cease to be a united community and a United Kingdom. We have forgotten this. Our communities have never been more divided. Never felt more hopeless and isolated. And people are crying out for change. We cannot afford to fail them. Labour doesn't understand this. And, as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill returns to Parliament, it clear to see. In its current state, the Bill will encourage isolation and break up communities. It won't connect or empower people. It won't help nature flourish or build beautiful houses that people are proud to call home. It starts by blatantly encouraging urban sprawl, increasing housing targets for councils outside of towns and cities whilst easing targets for cities like London. This will just create new, soulless settlements, take away our green belt, and make residents feel trapped and isolated hours away from their friends, work, and the amenities they need. 'Labour doesn't care for creating beautiful communities' Instead, we should be gently densifying our existing towns and cities to resurrect lost communities. This requires beautiful new homes and developments that bring nature and the life it brings back into the hearts of our towns and cities. Look at some of the most beautiful parts of our great cities, like Marylebone in London, with mid-rise, six-storey mansion blocks. No one would complain if this beautiful architecture were repeated elsewhere. But Labour showed it doesn't care for creating beautiful, connected communities when they shut the Office for Place. With Nicholas Boys Smith at the helm, it made sure new developments focused on building beautiful, green and connected communities. Without the Office for Place, there is nothing protecting communities from the bland, cookie-cutter houses that foster isolation. One and a half million new homes is an admirable ambition, but it means nothing if you don't build the communities and homes people actually want. Building beautiful also means reviving nature within communities, and that starts by empowering local residents. They know what they need, not mandarins in Whitehall. But once again, Labour doesn't understand how to revive lost communities. For generations, Labour has wanted weak communities dependent on the state, and this continues today. They are stripping local communities of autonomy by backtracking on their promise to slash quangos and putting taxpayers' money and the responsibility of local nature in the hands of Natural England. Natural England is grossly underprepared for such a nationally significant mission. And we have seen too many times centrally controlled quangos struggle with the basics whilst wasting taxpayers' money in the process. 'Conservative MPs are taking action' To its credit, at least Labour's Bill will bring some good news for smaller house builders. Cutting and simplifying planning and biodiversity red tape will make it much easier for them to compete with the volume house builders. That is why Conservative MPs are taking action, amending this Bill to ensure Britain gets the empowered, connected and beautiful communities you deserve. Whether it is David Simmonds – my fellow shadow minister for housing, communities and local government – enshrining the right to preserve the special character of historic villages and preventing them from merging with other towns. Or encouraging more sustainable drainage so we have cleaner rivers and communities. Or Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, and her amendment to end ridiculous red tape on creating ponds, empowering local communities to breathe life into local nature whilst protecting their areas from drought and flooding. Or Aphra Brandreth – a former councillor and now MP for Chester South and Eddisbury – whose amendment will make it easier for local communities to plant more trees, creating a greener, more pleasant environment. That is just to mention a few, because my colleagues have been working tirelessly to hold Labour to account. We rightly lost the last election because we failed to listen to the British people and deliver on their priorities. There is a long road to regaining your trust – we know that. But in opposition, we are taking the fight to Labour and delivering for Britain. We are listening. And with our amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, we will deliver a more connected, prosperous and greener country that you can once again feel proud to be part of.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Holiday let owners face tax ‘triple whammy'
Airbnb owners are set to face a triple whammy of taxes as the Government increasingly treats them as 'walking ATMs,' a senior Tory MP has warned. Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow housing minister, criticised ministers for hitting short-term let owners with little-known licensing fees when they are already paying double council tax. From April 1, all English councils were given the powers to charge a 100pc council tax premium on second home owners. More than 230 chose to implement the charge – which The Telegraph is campaigning to be cut or abolished. But the new legislation included scope for the Government to introduce a registration scheme to regulate holiday lets and ensure they are recorded with councils. This is expected to involve a licensing charge, which experts estimated would be around £100 per year. Labour has failed to provide a timeframe for when this will be introduced. The result could be that short-term let owners are saddled with paying double council tax bills, plus an annual licensing fee. Mr Hollinrake has argued that the double council tax bill should cover the cost of an owner registering a short-term let. In a written parliamentary question, he asked the Government whether it 'will ensure that homes subject to a second homes council tax premium by local authorities are not charged additional registration fees'. But Chris Bryant, the culture minister, refused to confirm the exemption in his response. He added that the 'scope of the scheme is still being determined'. A loophole in the business rates system means some households could avoid the double tax altogether. Mr Hollinrake told The Telegraph: 'Labour's thirst for tax cannot be quenched, and people may now be hit by a triple whammy of council charges – two lots of council tax, and a licensing fee on top if they ever want to rent it out. 'Such licensing charges are especially pointless, as councils already know the property is being used as a second home by virtue of the council tax surcharge. 'Local taxpayers deserve better than being treated like walking ATMs by this punishing Labour government.' Andy Fenner, head of the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), said: 'This appears to be purely a revenue-generating exercise rather than a genuine policy need. Short-term rental tourism provides vital investment and supports thousands of jobs and businesses throughout our communities. Alistair Handyside, of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK, said it was supportive of the scheme but concerned about 'the amount of other interventions such as the council tax premiums, the abolition of the furnished holiday lets tax regime and the new EPC standards, these are closing businesses at a very fast rate'. The second home council tax premium was originally brought in by the Tories. However, Labour has come under criticism for refusing to monitor the impact of the policy on housing, tourism and local economies. Ministers said it was up to individual councils to decide if the double tax is 'effective'. But The Telegraph revealed earlier this month that eight in 10 local authorities who charge the premium failed to carry out impact assessments before introducing it. If a property is let out for 70 nights a year, it qualifies for business rates and is therefore exempt from council tax. Many second home owners will qualify for small business rates relief, which offers up to 100pc relief, if the property is the only one they let. This loophole will cost local authorities £334m this year in missed revenue, a figure which politicians said proved the premium was backfiring. If a property is not let for 70 days, however, it will still be on the hook for all three charges. A government spokesman said: 'A registration scheme will help local authorities across England identify the short-term lets in their area so they can address any community impacts. We will set out more details on how the scheme will work in due course.' AirBnb was also approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Holiday let owners face tax ‘triple whammy'
Airbnb owners are set to face a triple whammy of taxes as the Government increasingly treats them as 'walking ATMs,' a senior Tory MP has warned. Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow housing minister, criticised ministers for hitting short-term let owners with little-known licensing fees when they are already paying double council tax. From April 1, all English councils were given the powers to charge a 100pc council tax premium on second home owners. More than 230 chose to implement the charge – which The Telegraph is campaigning to be cut or abolished. But the new legislation included scope for the Government to introduce a registration scheme to regulate holiday lets and ensure they are recorded with councils. This is expected to involve a licensing charge, which experts estimated would be around £100 per year – though Labour has failed to provide a timeframe for when this will be introduced. The result could be that owners are saddled with paying double council tax bills, plus an annual licensing fee. A similar fee for short-term lets already exists in Scotland. Mr Hollinrake has argued that the double council tax bill should cover the cost of an owner registering a short-term let. In a written parliamentary question, he asked the Government whether it 'will ensure that homes subject to a second homes council tax premium by local authorities are not charged additional registration fees'. But Chris Bryant, the culture minister, refused to confirm the exemption in his response. He added that the 'scope of the scheme is still being determined'. A loophole in the business rates system means some households could avoid the double tax altogether. Mr Hollinrake told The Telegraph: 'Labour's thirst for tax cannot be quenched, and people may now be hit by a triple whammy of council charges – two lots of council tax, and a licensing fee on top if they ever want to rent it out. 'Such licensing charges are especially pointless, as councils already know the property is being used as a second home by virtue of the council tax surcharge. 'Local taxpayers deserve better than being treated like walking ATMs by this punishing Labour government.' Andy Fenner, head of the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), said: 'This appears to be purely a revenue-generating exercise rather than a genuine policy need. Short-term rental tourism provides vital investment and supports thousands of jobs and businesses throughout our communities. Alistair Handyside, of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK, said it was supportive of the scheme but concerned about 'the amount of other interventions such as the council tax premiums, the abolition of the furnished holiday lets tax regime and the new EPC standards, these are closing businesses at a very fast rate'. The second home council tax premium was originally brought in by the Tories. However, Labour has come under criticism for refusing to monitor the impact of the policy on housing, tourism and local economies. Ministers said it was up to individual councils to decide if the double tax is 'effective'. But The Telegraph revealed earlier this month that eight in 10 local authorities who charge the premium failed to carry out impact assessments before introducing it. If a property is let out for 70 nights a year, it qualifies for business rates and is therefore exempt from council tax. Many second home owners will qualify for small business rates relief, which offers up to 100pc relief, if the property is the only one they let. This loophole will cost local authorities £334m this year in missed revenue, a figure which politicians said proved the premium was backfiring. If a property is not let for 70 days, however, it will still be on the hook for all three charges. A government spokesman said: 'A registration scheme will help local authorities across England identify the short-term lets in their area so they can address any community impacts. We will set out more details on how the scheme will work in due course.' AirBnb was also approached for comment.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The double council tax loophole that will cost councils £334million - as locals in second home hotspots 'pay the price'
Second home owners dodging the double council tax bill is set to cost local authorities £334million. Since April 1, local authorities have been able to charge a 100 per cent premium on second homes under new powers introduced in the 2023 Levelling Up and Regeneration Act. In Wales, they can charge premiums of up to 300 per cent. However, crafty property barons found a loophole which allows them to dodge paying their taxes by classifying their second homes as holiday lets and renting them out for 70 nights of the year. The tax dodging move means the properties qualify for business rates relief and also makes owners exempt from paying any council tax at all. In the past year, the sum of lost council tax revenue has doubled from £170m, according to research by property firm Colliers. Now, politicians and experts say the soaring figures prove the 100 per cent premium tax raid is doing more harm than good. Shadow housing minister Kevin Hollinrake critiscied the Government for their backfiring tax raid. 'Labour couldn't even be bothered to carry out any impact assessment, nor have they asked councils to restrict the policy to where there are localised problems in the housing market,' he said. John Webber, of Colliers, said it's 'making the situation even worse' and pointed out that 'less money will be collected locally' which will result in less spending on things locals actually need, such as public services or affordable housing. He added: 'The problem is not second home owners; it is politicians failing to understand the issues and having the courage to do something about it.' A whopping 230 out of 296 councils in England, and 20 out of 22 in Wales took the Government up on their offer and imposed the inflated levy. To be considered a holiday let, owners must make their property available for at least 140 nights and actually let it out to visitors for 70 nights in one year. In order to work out the business rates bill an owner pays, the council uses the property's rateable value which is based on its type, size, location and how much money they would make renting it out to holidaymakers. If they only let one property then they may qualify for small business rates relief which could see them offered up to 100 per cent relief. Properties with a rateable value of £12,001 to £15,000, will see the rate of relief go down gradually from 100 per cent to 0 per cent. For example, if the rateable value is £13,500, the owner will get 50 per cent off their bill. There are an estimated 73,838 holiday let properties that qualify for business rates relief in England and Wales. This is down from 80,000 last year thanks to tougher restrictions but Colliers expects numbers to shoot up again due to the double tax raid. Before 2023, property owners just had to declare an intention to use their home as a holiday let to meet the business rates relief qualifications.
