星空传媒

As expected, the Planning Gain Supplement Bill was withdrawn, but a proposed planning tariff to capture increased land value based on the Milton Keynes model, has been included in the Planning Reform Bill.

Also in this bill are proposals for the establishment of an independent infrastructure planning commission, which would consider 鈥渘ationally significant infrastructure鈥� projects, such as nuclear power stations or airports, as well as eco-towns.

Many predict that the Planning Bill will be one of the first to appear in November, as it affects government policy on housing, energy and transport.

UK parliament bills

• Housing and Regeneration Bill

Supports Brown鈥檚 pledge of 3 million homes by 2020 with the establishment of the Homes and Communities Agency. It moves social housing regulation to an independent assessor, the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords.

And it modernises powers on establishing new settlements such as eco-towns.

• Climate Change Bill

Will create a legally binding commitment to the government鈥檚 target of a 60% reduction in CO2 by 2050.

• Energy Bill

Will provide greater incentives for renewable energy generation and make it easier for private firms to invest in offshore gas supply infrastructure and in 鈥渃arbon capture鈥� research.

Scottish Parliament bills

Meanwhile, the Scottish government announced it would abolish housing and regeneration agency Communities Scotland, as part of a raft of proposals in a discussion paper on the future direction of housing policy in Scotland.

Also outlined in the paper:

• housebuilding up from 25,000 to 35,000 units per year by 2015
• local authorities will be offered financial incentives to build new social homes
• abolish the right to buy on all new social homes.