Planning
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.
Planning proposals will 'disempower' councils
The Lib Dems have used their autumn conference to warn that the Government’s planning proposals will ‘disempower’ councils.
Planning Reforms: Data can shine a light on the true social value of development
Liam Ronan-Chlond says the challenges for both public and private sectors is how to properly measure the impact development has in the community – and technology can play a pivotal role.
Councils warn of 'housebuilding fiasco'
New government housing targets will lead to a north-south divide in England, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
No by-elections before May, ministers confirm
Ministers have confirmed that no by-elections or neighbourhood planning referendums will take place in England before May.
Pincher tries to soothe Tory fears over new housing formula
Housing minister Christopher Pincher has attempted to soothe Tory fears over the Government’s new methodology for calculating local need.
Building foundations for community health
A new report calls on the Government to put public health at the heart of housing delivery. Paul O’Brien of APSE and Dr Daniel Slade highlight the main recommendations.
Housing MJ: The rebuild starts here
Amid the gloom of the current housing crisis, Jackie Sadek says local authorities can take the lead in forging the partnerships that can help rebuild our homes and local economies.
Housing targets hit Tory shires most, ministers are warned
Ministers have been warned that proposed changes to the housing targets formula outlined earlier this month could mean more developments in rural Conservative-held council areas than in Labour-held inner cities.
Planning for the future and understanding the past
David Arminger takes a look at what’s wrong with the planning system, and argues a Right to Build would be a way to encourage new entrant innovators to the market.
On solid ground?
Despite some interesting proposals, Sir Bob Neill has a mixed reaction to the latest planning White Paper and fears other areas of the housebuilding process need assessing first.
A demolition job on the planning system
The Prime Minister regards the new planning White Paper as ‘levelling the foundations’ of the present system but critics say it emasculates the role of local authorities. Michael Burton takes a look at what the paper proposes.
Fears for small unitaries over Clarke's reorganisation shake-up
Existing small unitaries could be at risk in the looming reorganisation shake-up after the Government failed to offer assurances about their future.
Reforms to fast-track local plans
Councils will face sanctions unless they draw-up local plans within 30 months under government proposals to overhaul the planning system.
