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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.
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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Making home ownership affordable: Discussion paper
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Proposed reforms to permitted development rights to support the deployment of 5G and extend mobile coverage
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Welsh National Development Framework 2020-2040 - Draft
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Creating space for beauty: interim report
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25 Year Environment Plan Progress Report - January 2018 to March 2019
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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Latin is a language….
“Latin is a language, dead as dead can be, First it killed the Romans, and now it’s killing me.” Despite the claims of this little rhyme, found scrawled in many a Latin textbook... -
Deeds, not words
A statue of Emmeline Pankhurst in Parliament Square near to the Houses of Parliament has been rejected at appeal, the inspector finding no exceptionally good reason to locate the statue... -
A matter of form
Not so long ago we reported an appeal case in which an inspector ruled that a restaurant was a community facility ( High on the hog ). In that case (DCS Number 400-022-010 ) the inspector...
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Policy & Legislation News
New guidance on PD right home extensions highlights need for neighbour consultation
New government technical guidance has highlighted the need for householders to consult neighbours when seeking permission for home extensions under permitted development (PD) rights.
What the draft Welsh national plan means for housing
The Welsh government's new draft spatial planning blueprint for the principality lays out ambitious development goals for the next 20 years, but both its overall and affordable housing need figures have prompted concerns.
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
The policy and legislation changes in the pipeline this autumn
This autumn is due to see a series of key policy developments. Colin Marrs looks ahead.
Need to know: What planners need to know about new land use guidance
The latest guidance is likely to mean councils having to be more rigorous in protecting allocated employment sites yet to be developed, says Chris Marsh.
Briefing: How plan-makers'assessment and sustainability checks are evolving
Environmental and sustainability issues are growing in importance despite the uncertainty created by Brexit, writes Nick Chisholm-Batten.
Johnson's spell as mayor suggests focus on deregulation might be limited, by John Geoghegan
With Parliament in recess and the High Court closed, August is typically a month when planning policy and legal activity grinds to a halt. But this year, there's plenty for Planning readers to catch up on during their summer holidays.
Four new biodiversity net gain duties for councils and developers
The government's response to a consultation on biodiversity net gain proposals outlines a number of new requirements for local authorities and applicants in an effort to make sure future development improves the natural environment.
The issues on which the government planning review is set to focus
Yet another review of planning rules has been promised by the new Prime Minister. Some influential figures within his Cabinet are backing radical change, but his own track record does not suggest a willingness to let the market rip.
Why new guidance raises the bar for councils in demonstrating that they have an adequate supply of housing sites
Fresh advice in new Planning Practice Guidance on housing supply and delivery is likely to raise the bar for local authorities in demonstrating that they have a five-year housing land supply, commentators suggest.
Briefing: How planners can help tackle the climate crisis
Just weeks after the government signed the net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 target into law, the Committee on Climate Change's annual progress report reveals that the UK's climate change actions are failing to meet its ambitions. Kate Hodson and Olivia Dunham consider how planners can help.
