Planning
Planners back districts to keep homes bonus
Planners have backed district councils to keep the lion’s share of New Homes Bonus (NHB) in response to a consultation on the funding pot’s future.
Build back beautiful
A new report puts forward a hyper-local approach to overcoming the housing crisis, with councils the recipients of the tax levied on the uplift of developments. The proposals should be taken seriously, says Sir Bob Neill.
Councils speak out over controversial planning laws
Councils have stressed they continue to need to have a voice in the planning process as new laws came into force.
Planning for climate power
A new report from APSE Energy looks at the practical ways in which the power of planning can be harnessed to embed climate change ambitions, say Phil Brennan and Paul O’Brien.
Labour calls for council powers to intervene in high streets
Proposals for councils to take over empty shops and a ‘wholesale reform’ of business rates have been put forward by Labour.
Can logistics deliver a greener, more sustainable recovery in the capital?
Robin Woodbridge lays out the arguments for refocusing on industrial development in London, including the creation of job opportunities for local people.
Councils are key to our climate goals
There is universal agreement that climate change targets can’t be achieved if councils are excluded from the approach, says Paul O’Brien. He looks at what they are calling for if they are to be at the heart of delivering climate goals.
Mandarins told of planning overhaul ‘outrage’
The Planning White Paper came in for heavy criticism as two Marsham Street officials addressed an audience of local government members and officers.
Making the best of brownfield
When it comes to brownfield sites to build new homes on, there is no shortage of them, says Dr Malcolm Hockaday. But the data on where to find them is, at best, patchy and needs to be updated
Alliance calls for a greener rethink to planning reforms
The Government has been urged to rethink its ‘damaging’ reforms to the planning system and put people, climate and nature at its heart by a coalition of 18 organisations.
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.