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Policy & Legislation
Policy, legislation and guidance produced by the government or its designated bodies. Use adopted sections if you wish to see only policy or legislation in force or emerging sections if you are looking for consultation documents where central government is inviting opinion prior to the implementation of policy or legislation.
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Adopted Policy & Guidance
Here you will find the most recently published government policy and guidance. These are all documents that have been adopted upon publication.
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Guidance on the Town and Country Planning (Major Residential Development) (Notification) (Wales) Direction 2020
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Developments of national significance: Welsh guidance updated
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Planning practice guidance updated - Light pollution, Community infrastructure levy, health and safe communities, hazardous substances
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Planning practice guidance updated - Air quality
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Infrastructure Update: Written statement
Adopted Legislation
Locate adopted legislation including Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments/Rules.
Consultations & Emerging Policy
Latest consultations and reports on government policy and guidance.
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Report on the draft National Development Framework - Wales
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Changes to planning and related applications fees - Welsh Government
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Planning performance and fees: consultation Scottish Government
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Permitted Development and Allotments - Welsh Government consultation
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Development Corporation Reform: Technical consultation
Legislation In Progress
Track the progress of legislation through the Westminster and Scottish Parliaments as well as the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies.
Fresh thinking on the DCP blog
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For its own sake
In determining an appeal relating to the siting of three mobile homes in rural Berkshire (DCS Number 400-024-202 ) an inspector has confirmed that, although we no longer seek to protect... -
Inside information
In allowing an appeal against the refusal of prior approval for conversion of a light industrial unit in west London to eight flats an inspector has determined that “gross floor area”... -
Three months’ hard labour
Another appeal case, this time relating to stables in Lancashire (DCS Number 400-024-650 ), further illustrates the point made in Be reasonable that the period for compliance with enforcement...
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Policy & Legislation News
Ministers promise to revamp and expand Housing Infrastructure Fund
Ministers have revealed that the government is pressing ahead with a revamp and expansion of its Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) and promised that the upcoming Planning White Paper will look at revising the compulsory purchase process.
Over 13,500 affordable homes lost due to PD office conversions, says LGA
More than 13,500 affordable homes have been lost over the past four years as a result of developers using permitted development (PD) rights to sidestep planning permission for office to residential conversions, the Local Government Association (LGA) has calculated.
Key Topics
Guidance and legislation documents, news and in-depth coverage of key policy areas.
Briefing Notes
Parliamentary briefing documents on adopted and emerging policy/legislation
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Implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 - Briefing paper
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Housing and Planning Bill: Report on Committee Stage
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Solar Farms: Funding, planning and impacts
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Nationally significant infrastructure projects and housing: briefing note
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Housing and Planning Bill briefing paper published
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Planning for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: Briefing Paper
Policy & Legislation In Depth
How new planning guidance on light pollution changes the system: the Planning Briefing
What the latest changes to government guidance are, and how they affect practitioners. By Isabella Kaminski.
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.
The system needs proactive changes, not a structural overhaul, by Catriona Riddell
By the time you read this, we will have a new government. We need stability to get on with the job of making good places, and a wholesale review of the system is the last thing that is required. But there are things that government can do to deliver better outcomes.
What the new Tory government has in store for planning
Following the promised planning changes in the Tory manifesto, some observers believe we can expect a "radical" programme of further deregulation and simplification of the system, though such a move is likely to face fierce opposition in certain quarters.
How new planning guidance on CIL changes the system: the Planning Briefing
What the latest changes to government guidance are, and how they affect practitioners. By Isabella Kaminski.
Does the Conservative manifesto indicate lower housebuilding ambitions?
The Conservative Party's new general election manifesto includes lower short-term housebuilding targets than its 2017 predecessor. Some commentators wonder whether the party is downscaling its housing delivery ambitions.
The planning promises expected in the general election manifestos
While the Conservatives' manifesto is likely to continue the current government's focus on the 'beauty' agenda and further planning deregulation to speed up housing delivery, observers predict that Labour will make building affordable homes and land value capture key policy pledges.
