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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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How the withdrawal agreement makes it easier for UK courts to overturn EU planning case law
A clause in the current withdrawal agreement bill would allow all UK courts to diverge from European case law, which legal experts say could have major implications for planning and prompt legal uncertainty.
Judge backs 200-home Essex scheme refusal despite inspector's 'errors'
A High Court judge has dismissed a legal challenge against a planning inspector's refusal of plans for 200 homes in the grounds of an Essex hotel, despite recognising that the inspector had made "minor" errors in her decision making.
High Court dismisses challenge against Shropshire green belt quarry consent
A High Court judge has dismissed a legal challenge against a Shropshire council's consent for a quarry within the green belt, rejecting a claim that the authority had failed to properly assess the development's environmental impacts.
Go-ahead for 4.4km Beds link road in green belt and AONB
Plans have been approved for a 4.4km link road that travels through the Bedfordshire green belt and partly through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) after planners advised that the scheme was a "critical component" of wider rail and road improvements for the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor.
What the Brexit withdrawal agreement bill means for planning
The Brexit withdrawal agreement bill removes previous commitments to align environmental regulations with the European Union, but observers do not expect the government to water down such rules in the short term.
Developer submits revised plans for 3,500-home Cambs airfield scheme
Developer Countryside has announced that it has submitted revised plans for a 3,500-home mixed-use scheme at Bourn Airfield in Cambridgeshire, including changes aiming to boost the use of sustainable transport, after the local authority adopted a new planning document to guide the development.
Latest Environment Opinion
Why the country's biggest infrastructure projects have hit problems, by Angus Walker
With news that a third runway at Heathrow is being delayed, pretty much all the country's largest infrastructure projects are having problems of one sort or another.
Is biodiversity net gain currently allowable for NSIPs? By Angus Walker
The Environment Bill was published on 15 October. It contains a provision that every (with exceptions yet to be specified) new planning permission must include a condition that development cannot begin unless a "biodiversity gain plan" has been submitted and approved.
Legal Viewpoint: Relief and despair in court ruling on scheme revisions
In 1066, King Harald Hardrada won the Battle of Fulford before being beaten by King Harold at Stamford Bridge. In 2007, planning permission was granted for up to 700 houses on the alleged site and battle resumed, this time between the developers and the local parish council.
Joining up the climate emergency dots, by Catriona Riddell
In May this year the government declared a climate change emergency which was soon followed by many local authorities across the country declaring their own climate change emergencies.
- Senior Planning Consultant DPA Architects Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire
- Principal Regeneration Officer Bridgend County Borough Council Bridgend (Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr)
- Principal Planning Officer South Kesteven District Council Grantham, Lincolnshire
- Planner Barratt Developments Northamptonshire
- Senior Transport Planner (Planning Policy) Royal Borough of Kingston Kingston Upon Thames (City/Town), London (Greater)
Environment In Depth
Need to know: Environmental planning commitments versus reality
Breaches of commitments can go unnoticed, and there is a widespread disconnect between promises made in planning and outcomes. By Dominic Woodfield.
How new planning guidance on air quality changes the system: the Planning Briefing
What the latest changes to government guidance are, and how they affect practitioners. By Isabella Kaminski.
Seven key tasks in the new government's in-tray
Some key areas of unfinished business face the new Conservative government. Below, we outline seven of the most significant tasks.
How we did it: Producing a joint plan for a protected landscape
How two councils drew up the first jointly produced plan for an area of outstanding natural beauty. By Colin Marrs.