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News and in-depth coverage of environmental issues and the effect of climate change on town planning.
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What would happen to the NPPF if the High Court declares the framework to be unlawful?
Campaign group Friends of the Earth has said it wants the new National Planning Policy Framework to be declared unlawful by the High Court but not quashed. However, commentators have said that, in practice, such a declaration would amount to striking down the framework in legal terms.
Cambridgeshire energy-from-waste plant refused against officer advice
Plans have been refused for an energy-from-waste plant in Cambridgeshire due to concerns over its landscape and heritage impacts, against a recommendation from planners.
Stretched council resources 'hampering' effective brownfield land remediation
Local authority resources for monitoring planning conditions on the remediation of brownfield land must be improved to reverse a trend that is putting 'communities and the environment at risk', a report has warned.
Cornwall Council updates draft sites allocation document in wake of habitats ruling
A South West council has updated measures set out in its draft site allocations document to take account of a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on habitats regulations assessment (HRA).
The impact of the latest European habitats judgement
The latest European Court ruling on development that affects protected habitats is likely to make life even harder for applicants and plan-makers, say experts.
Friends of the Earth begins legal action to 'modify' NPPF
Campaign group Friends of the Earth (FoE) has launched a legal challenge against the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), arguing that the government failed to properly scrutinise the environmental impact of policies set out in the document.
Latest Environment Opinion
Why NSIP route for shale projects may not ease consents process, by Angus Walker
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is consulting on whether, and if so how, shale gas or fracking projects - which term you prefer seems to indicate whether you are for or against them - should be brought within the Planning Act 2008 regime as a new type of nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP).
In age of austerity, US-style philanthropy could help save parks, by Cliff Hague
Sack staff, cut pay, close libraries, sell off assets. Local authorities across the UK have got the austerity message.
Legal Viewpoint: Mitigation measures excluded from habitat screening stage
A European court ruling has overturned the UK position that planning authorities may take mitigation measures into account in determining whether an appropriate assessment is required under the Habitats Regulations.
The battle over the third runway at Heathrow airport is far from finished, by Richard Garlick
The government has taken an important step by publishing its airports national policy statement (NPS), supporting the construction of a third runway at Heathrow.
- Planning Manager London Borough of Waltham Forest Waltham Forest, London (Greater)
- Senior Town Planner+ | North Yorkshire | Full or Part time | Flexible + Remote working Lewis Davey North Yorkshire
- Planning Director / Planning Manager - Lancashire Lewis Davey Lancashire
- Senior Planning Policy Officer South Holland District Council Spalding, Lincolnshire
- Major Projects Planning Officer Ashfield District Council Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottingham
Environment In Depth
What councils can do about climate change
Planning authorities have plenty of tools available to tackle the impacts of climate change, but not always the resources or skills to employ them, reports Colin Marrs.
Policy Summary: Government moots permitted development right for shale gas exploration
POLICY: Permitted Development for Shale Gas Exploration.
Policy Summary: What the airports national policy statement means for Heathrow and beyond
POLICY: Airports National Policy Statement: New Runway Capacity and Infrastructure at Airports in the South East of England.
How EU court's ruling on habitats could affect neighbourhood plans
Neighbourhood planning groups may face further delay and expense in drawing up supporting material to show that policies will not harm key wildlife sites, experts suggest.