Planning

Simon Edwards says Andy Burnham has begun fleshing out what his premiership could look like, while the County Council Network will be advocating for funding reform, sustainable devolution, SEND ref...

AI

Can AI strengthen strategic planning in England?

By Samer Bagaeen | 02 July 2026

Samer Bagaeen examines why digital spatial development strategies must strengthen local democracy...

LOCAL ECONOMIES

Taking back control

By Sarah Longlands | 01 July 2026

Is Burnham’s vision of the productive state a licence for local government to take back control, ...

Councils given green light to refund CIL errors

By William Eichler | 30 June 2026

Councils can now compensate homeowners who missed out on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) exem...

POLICY AND POLITICS

One in 10 planning posts vacant, Unison finds

By William Eichler | 16 June 2026

One in 10 council planning posts in England are vacant, according to research by trade union Unison.

POLICY AND POLITICS

Government intervenes amid local plan concerns

By Joe Lepper | 12 June 2026

The Government has intervened in Torbay Council’s emerging local plan amid concerns it falls shor...

HOUSING

Market-shaping councils, better housing outcomes

By Joanne Drew | 11 June 2026

Joanne Drew considers the role of councils in enabling housing delivery and shaping local housing...

HOUSING

A rights-based case for new homes at Crews Hill and Chase Park

By Holly Lewis | 08 June 2026

Holly Lewis says a rights-based approach to planning can help councils balance local concerns wit...

PLANNING

Greater Cambridge Development Corporation launched

By Martin Ford | 03 June 2026

Government plans to press ahead with a development corporation in Cambridge have been met with di...

LEGAL

Councils could face bill after legal clash

By Neil Merrick | 28 May 2026

At least 40 councils are waiting to discover if they need to repay money to housebuilders as more...

PLANNING

Councils demand full cost recovery for planning fees

By Martin Ford | 27 May 2026

Proposals to increase planning application fees do not go far enough, the Government has been war...