Planning
Jenrick launches plans to force sale of unused land
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has announced plans which will force councils to sell unused land and assets.
Councillors voice intervention fears
Members of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have raised concerns the authority could face government intervention over the performance of its planning department.
Jenrick announces revised plan for housing algorithm
The Government has announced a raft of new measures in an attempt to provide much-needed homes in urban areas and on brownfield sites.
Could the Planning White Paper's digital first approach be applied more widely?
Thanks to the pandemic, this year's Planning for the Future White Paper is on-trend, says Gill Kneller. She wonders where else its digital-first approach could be applied 'and what bigger opportunities are there that we could embrace?'
Thousands of councillors call for rethink on planning reforms
Over 2,000 councillors have called on the Government to rethink its planning proposals, warning the changes will lead to an ‘unacceptable loss’ of local democracy and scrutiny.
Minister cools on national infrastructure levy
Government proposals for a national infrastructure levy may be dropped, a minister has suggested.
Jenrick outlines fast track planning service for public buildings
Councils will have a legal duty to make decisions on new schools and hospitals within 10 weeks under reforms to the planning system.
Live Local Plan Monitor provides an up-to-date snapshot
Carter Jonas’ Live Local Plan Monitor is 'a unique web-based resource which provides comprehensive information on adopted plans, emerging plans, consultations and councils’ housing supply' says Peter Canavan.
We need a renaissance in strategic planning
Joanna Killian says the need to deliver future-focused, robust infrastructure to support housing growth has never been greater - and a CCN-commissioned report offers proposals that 'taken together offer the critical missing piece of the puzzle'.
Housing algorithm U-turn reports
The proposed targets came under heavy criticism from Tory backbenchers.
HOUSING: Will the planning shake-up help to level up?
Colin Brown asks if the Government’s proposed changes to the planning system will help or hinder housing need across the UK.
HOUSING: You get what you give
Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran asks what the inability to deliver a multi-year finance settlement means for housing recovery.
Let’s talk about homes
Homes provide so much more than shelter, says Dr Jonathan Carr-West. He argues that a different sort of conversation is needed that isn’t just about planning or ‘how many houses you build’.
Labour would adopt 'local by default' approach
A Labour government would strike a ‘new settlement between citizens and the state’ and adopt a ‘local by default’ approach, shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has pledged.
Planning reforms face wrath of Tory MPs
Former Prime Minister Theresa May was among the Conservative backbenchers queuing to criticise the Government’s proposed planning reforms.
Cities have 'gone backwards towards a centralising tendency'
Cities have ‘gone backwards’ towards a centralising tendency in response to COVID-19 and in relation to the proposals in the Planning White Paper, says Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
Planning reforms risk delivery of affordable homes, council leaders warn
Communities could have missed out on 30,000 affordable homes in the past five years if proposed government planning reforms were in place, local leaders have warned.
Levelling up begins with housing
Cities like Manchester need more say in shaping housing policy, with proper powers and resources to tackle the homes crisis, says Jonathan Webb.
It’s time for Government to level up
There's still time to avoid levelling up becoming Boris Johnson’s Big Society, writes Sir Bob Kerslake - and two papers from the LGA and UK 2070 should be warmly welcomed by the Government as valuable contributions to their goal to build back better.
Any further loosening of planning laws would be a disaster for towns and cities
Cllr Faisal Rana of Rochdale MBC argues that the government's planning White Paper will have a devastating impact on all Greater Manchester’s local communities.
