Planning
Let’s work together on the most important agenda of our time
Paul O'Brien says policy on permitted development rights 'continues to work against a co-ordinated approach at local level on reshaping place and making developers contribute to this process'.
Government to strengthen community role in planning
The Government has made clear it intends to strengthen the role of communities in new planning legislation.
MJ Housing: Sector speculates as Gove stands firm over housing
Despite bold pledges over the housing crisis, Michael Gove has accepted progress will not be as fast as originally planned. The levelling up secretary wants to build more homes – but only while involving local communities behind the developments, leading to some skepticism. Heather Jameson reports
A Queen’s Speech without jewels
Councils are at the forefront of demand when people pushed into poverty seek their support, writes Mo Baines. But she says the Queen’s Speech failed to embrace the role of councils by offering practical measures that would help residents.
Boring not bad
Sir Bob Neill says this wasn’t a Queen’s Speech packed with surprises, ‘but if dull means getting the job done, let’s welcome the dull’.
Future Forum: Planning a biodiversity ‘shambles’
The planning system has been branded a 'shambles’ regarding biodiversity.
Queen's Speech: Levelling up bill unveiled for planning reform
The Queen’s Speech has confirmed a levelling up Bill will include legislation on planning and regeneration reform.
England’s planning system is broken
Tom Stannard sets out the scale of the regeneration challenge, including the vital need to improve transport connectivity – and he says an unreformed planning system represents a real threat to the Government’s levelling up agenda.
Appetite for construction?
The Levelling Up department’s wish to see a council housebuilding revolution will require an increase in capacity, but also political confidence and professional leadership for managing risk and finance, writes Jonathan Werran.
Funding affordable housing in future
Steve Quartermain argues that Section 106 has been quite successful at securing concessions and contributions from developers, and he also considers if a new approach that sees affordable housing delivered through a revised levy would be good news.
New Bill to put beauty at the heart of planning, says Gove
The Queen’s Speech is set to include a new bill to revamp planning and kick start housebuilding, levelling up secretary Michael Gove has revealed.
We need more joined-up working between local and central Government
'Nutrient neutrality' regulations are well-meaning but the need to reduce our impact on the environment is best achieved through long-term planning, says Sheila Oxtoby.
London could lose out if new infrastructure levy is pooled
There is ‘real fear’ London will lose out if the Government decides to replace Section 106 agreements with a nationally-pooled infrastructure levy, a think-tank chief has warned.
New Natural England advice is a big deal
A letter informing councils of advice from Natural England on requirements to mitigate nutrient pollution in protected sites is a big deal, says chairman of the District Councils’ Network, Sam Chapman-Allen.
Energy strategy to bring about planning overhaul
The Government is to reform planning regulations in the hope of boosting the nation’s energy supply.
Finally biting back
Oxford City Council can’t do right for doing wrong, it would seem.
Planning bill to be dropped
The Government is to scrap its long-awaited planning bill, it has been reported.
Section 106 agreements to be scrapped
Proposals for a standard Infrastructure Levy to replace the current system will be included in an overhaul of planning, it has been confirmed.
Change is coming and local authorities will need to adapt
Councils must grapple with planning issues now so that as much development as possible is adapted to deal with the effects of climate change, say Ben Standing and James Fawcett.
Changes to building regulations – what does it mean?
Ben Standing of Browne Jacobson looks at what the new building regulations, due to come into force in June in the wake of the Government’s net zero strategy, mean for local government.
