Latest updates from Allerdale Borough Council

Landmark housing court case

For a long time, letting agents and landlords have been putting in place so-called ‘no DSS’, ‘no benefits’, or ‘no Universal Credit’ policies to prevent renters who receive housing benefit from accessing homes. However, a landmark court ruling in this month confirmed that refusing to allow someone to rent a property because they are on benefits is discrimination and therefore unlawful. More information from the Property Ombudsman is below.

Our housing team can help landlords and tenants with any enquiries on this. You can call them on 0303 123 1702. 

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Local Plan (Part 2) agreed

Allerdale’s Local Plan (Part 2) - a vital document outlining potential future development across the borough – has been approved by councillors. At a meeting of the full council last night (July 22) members voted to adopt the Local Plan (Part 2), an important planning and policy document which identifies land for a number of uses. This includes land for housing, employment, retail, wind energy, gypsy and travellers, open space and green infrastructure networks. It also includes policies on affordable housing, housing standards, tourism, broadband infrastructure, amenity green space, green gaps and green infrastructure. In addition, all development boundaries around towns and villages have also been reviewed.

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Maryport regeneration

The business case for an ambitious regeneration scheme in Maryport has been given the seal of approval by members of Allerdale Borough Council’s Executive. At the recent Executive meeting councillors decided to give authority to the Maryport project team to submit the business case to the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (FHSF). If successful the scheme could result in a four-year programme of works up to a value of over £16.7m which would support the transformation of Maryport town centre. Various areas of the town would be improved, including revamping the Wave Centre, bringing The Carlton building back into use and converting Christ Chruch into museum/gallery space. Read more

Housing policies agreed

Our Executive recently agreed two housing policy documents. 

The Cumbria Choice Partnering Agreement and Choice Based Lettings Allocation Policy is designed to ensure there is greater clarity on the process for households in the borough who are currently registered for social housing or who may register in the future. The policies also cover the roles of different organisations, as well as ensuring there is a fair and consistent approach from registered housing providers. 

The Executive also agreed a Local Occupancy Restrictions Policy which relates to certain residential properties in the National Park and the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that local people continue to have access to housing which remains affordable and which serves local need.

You can find details of both policies in the meeting agenda: https://democracy.allerdale.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=11&MId=4768

Development panel

Next week we see the return of the Development Panel. You can find the agenda for Tuesday's meeting at: https://democracy.allerdale.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=10&MId=4796.

Reopening guidance

We’re providing daily updates on our website with guidance for businesses on reopening. We've recently added details on the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, including how to register, the correct disposal of PPE equipment and also links to the government advice on face coverings. Read more

Don't forget you can keep up to date with the latest planning applications on the weekly list: https://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/WeeklyListServlet