NEWSFLASH: Government fully endorses live/work

The response to the Taylor review on rural housing and economic development, published today, says that a new planning policy statement on prosperous communities will back live/work and home working.

The intention to publish the new PPS, which will absorb existing statements on town centres, economic development and the countryside, is outlined in the response. It also urges regional development agencies and planning bodies to encourage both rural enterprise hubs and live/work units, another key recommendation of last year’s review.

The response says: 'We agree that rural enterprise hubs and live/work units can have a part to play in the rural economy... the new PPS on prosperous economies will encourage local planning authorities to facilitate new working practices such as live/work.'

The response also urges registered social landlords to 'seriously consider' tenants' requests to have the right to work from home incorporated into their tenancy agreement in line with National Housing Federation guidance.

And it recommends that the final version of the economic development PPS4, the draft of which is currently being consulted on, should retain advice to local planning authorities that they should 'take account of the changing spatial working patterns that advances in information and communication technologies allow, such as live/work units or the use of residential properties for home working'.

In addition, it says the final version of PPS4 should retain the draft’s support for encouraging the collection of data on home workers to provide a local evidence base to then inform business support efforts.

Tim Dwelly, director of Live/Work Network, which submitted evidence to the Taylor Review, commented: 'Today's announcment represents the most significant endorsement of live/work in the UK to date. We are delighted that the government has unequivocally supported the review's call for a big push to create exemplary live/work developments. We also welcome the sensible connection being made between hub facilities for home enterprise and live/work development. We will now focus our efforts on helping local authorities and RDAs deliver both to enable a low carbon recovery.'

Read full government response.

MEMBERS: see briefings area for an updated briefing on planning guidance relevant to live/work. This incorporates the Taylor Review Response.