In the news

Kit Malthouse appointed as new housing minister

By Michael Donnelly, 9 July 2018

Kit Malthouse has been appointed as the new housing minister, replacing Dominic Raab who yesterday became the government's Brexit secretary.

Brokenshire defends 'sound' standardised methodology and confirms draft NPPF 'before summer recess'

By Michael Donnelly, 10 July 2018

The communities secretary James Brokenshire has defended the government's proposed new standardised housing need methodology as 'sound' and has confirmed his intention to publish a final version of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 'before summer recess'.

City mayors should produce integrated transport and housing plans, says national infrastructure assessment

By John Geoghegan, 9 July 2018

City leaders and metro mayors should develop and implement "integrated strategies for transport, employment and housing" and be granted greater planning decision-making powers by 2021, the government's infrastructure adviser has called for in its first long-term national assessment.

PINS misses two-thirds of key planning and enforcement appeal targets, annual report shows

By John Geoghegan, 13 July 2018

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) failed to meet six out of nine of its key planning and enforcement casework targets in 2017/18, according to its latest annual report, which describes its performance as "unacceptable" for many customers.

Fresh delay to Manchester spatial framework confirmed

By Michael Donnelly, 3 July 2018

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed a fresh delay to the publication of a revised draft spatial framework for the region, arguing that new population projections need to be taken into account prior to its publication.