Planning
Planning shakeup to ‘sideline’ councils
Councils have warned they will be ‘sidelined’ by new planning regulations to be unveiled this week.
Jenrick ‘regrets’ Desmond encounter
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has expressed regret at meeting and exchanging text messages with party donor Richard Desmond before granting planning permission for the Westferry Printworks development.
Delivering homes and communities fit for the future
Lessons from the pandemic have given councils ‘a once in a generation’ opportunity to reform outdated planning principles, say Adam Cunnington and Julian Lockwood.
Charities warn over planning 'deregulation'
Government plans to overhaul planning rules post-Brexit have come under fire from environmental groups.
Plan, plan and plan again!
Sarah Longlands argues that 'if we really want to build back better, creating decent homes and communities in which to live, then good strategic planning is part of the solution, rather than a scapegoat for politicians'.
A tale of two planning controversies
Kenneth Carruthers ponders whether communities secretary Robert Jenrick’s recent planning difficulties are ‘a storm in a teacup or a slam dunk’.
Call for exercise boom to continue
Paralympian champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has made a rallying call for the exercise boom to continue after lockdown.
Supporting more democratic, responsive urban planning and design
In one of a series of essays on how the wisdom of citizens could support councils in managing cities after COVID-19, Peter Baeck and Sophie Reynolds look at the urban planning and design process - and share inspiring examples from across the world.
MPs refuse to back down on Westferry
MPs have refused to accept the Prime Minister’s attempts to close down questions over Robert Jenrick’s decision on the Westferry Printworks planning application.
We need a bold move to a flexible zoning system
Analyst at Centre for Cities Anthony Breach makes the case for a flexible zoning system. It would give the public a greater say, with the drafting of a local plan becoming ‘even more important’, he argues.
Don’t seek to override local choice on development
Rob Whiteman hopes the ‘sorry episode’ of the Westferry Printworks application ‘once and for all stops the periodic demands from developers to erode councils’ planning powers’
Biggs: Westferry revelations have 'blown apart' confidence in planning system
The latest revelations about the controversial Westferry Printworks application have ‘blown apart’ confidence in the planning system under local government secretary Robert Jenrick, Tower Hamlets LBC’s mayor, John Biggs, has said.
Kick-starting the drive for homes
Cllr Paul Carter sets out themes and critical actions identified in a new essay collection for a housing-led recovery, commissioned by Localis.
Promote localism to save high streets, says updated Grimsey review
Scrapping high street business rates and promoting localism alongside green spaces and fewer cars are crucial if town centres are to thrive after the pandemic, says retail expert Bill Grimsey.
Jenrick will be judged on his weight with the Treasury
Planning approval is not the biggest issue for local government at this moment, says Heather Jameson. The impact communities secretary Robert Jenrick can make with the help of the Treasury probably is. She adds: 'Just how much clout does he have?'
Building better after COVID
Councils’ finances and their ability to carry on building homes is being hampered by the pandemic, says John Perry, but the picture is not overwhelmingly gloomy.
Jenrick insists he followed rules in Westferry decision
Under-fire communities secretary Robert Jenrick has insisted his decision to approve a controversial planning application by Conservative donor Richard Desmond was taken ‘in good faith’.
Council planning powers under threat
Planning powers could be shifted from local authorities to development corporations as part of an economic stimulus package to be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson later this month.
Call for investigation into ‘unlawful’ development approval
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick is facing demands for an investigation after his decision to grant planning permission to a major housing development was declared unlawful.
How planners can use the cloud to tackle COVID-19
Robin Barber says council planners should be working with suppliers to understand how easily they can access the solutions when it all goes wrong, not just now but in the future too.
