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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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Coronavirus (COVID-19): Community Infrastructure Levy guidance
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Construction update: Written statement
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PPG updated - Consultation and pre-decision matters, Neighbourhood planning, Plan making
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning guidance on pre-application consultations for public events - Scotland
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Neighbourhood Planning - PPG updated
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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Updated Compulsory Purchase Policy and Guidance in Wales - Summary of Consultation Response
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Improving competitiveness: a discussion paper on the Commission’s objectives
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Planning Procedures and COVID-19: Scottish Chief Planner letter
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Revitalisation of the high street
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Chief planner letter - Covid 19 advice
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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Part and parcel
All of an unauthorised 1.8m high fence at a house in Worcestershire will have to be reduced to 1m notwithstanding the appellants’ protest that part of it was lawful (DCS Number 400-026-134... -
The correct form of address
An inspector has upheld a council’s refusal to grant prior approval for the change of use of a former bed shop in Hertfordshire to a restaurant notwithstanding the appellant’s argument... -
The law is an ass
‘ “If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, “the law is a ass — a idiot.” ‘ Charles Dickens’ beadle was probably not the first to...
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Policy & Legislation News
Local Plan Watch: Inspector backs LLDC plan's departure from standard housing need method
An inspector has backed the London Legacy Development Corporation's (LLDC's) local plan review and said that "exceptional circumstances" justify the strategy using an alternative approach to the government's standard method for calculating housing need. .
Sheffield Council apologises for allowing default consent for three 5G masts
Sheffield City Council has apologised to residents after it failed to process prior notification applications for three 5G masts within the prescribed timescales, which has allowed the structures to secure consent without local authority scrutiny.
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 implications of new rules on virtual committees: the Planning Briefing
How new rules allowing councils to conduct planning committee meetings remotely using digital technology change the system and their implications. By Adam Branson.
Why permitted development right for Covid-19 response facilities could allow more than hospitals
A hastily-introduced measure to regularise the planning position on temporary hospital facilities in response to the coronavirus pandemic opens the way for possibly unanticipated uses operating under a relatively relaxed regime, experts argue.
Why developers and councils are both calling for permission lifespans to be extended during the pandemic
A host of built environment and local government bodies have come together to call for Westminster to follow Scotland's lead and allow planning permission lifetimes in England to be extended during the coronavirus outbreak.
The implications of delegated and virtual decision-making
Local authorities are looking at using emergency delegated powers and a system of 'virtual' planning committees to allow decision-making to continue during the coronavirus outbreak. But practitioners warn that delegated powers are likely to be suitable for just a limited number of applications, while virtual committees face technical challenges and are likely to limit public participation.
Efforts to keep the system moving through the pandemic are essential, by Richard Garlick
As we went to press, strenuous efforts were being made to keep the planning system moving in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Why councils may struggle to meet the government's new local plan deadline
Some practitioners say the government's latest December 2023 deadline for local plan adoption is an ambitious target that, given the slow progress of plan production to date, will be a challenge for many councils to meet. However, other observers say it should be achievable given the timescale.
Need to Know: Planning changes in pipeline to support freeport status
Why is the government proposing to set up freeports in the UK and what changes to planning rules are envisaged to help them function effectively? By Robbie Owen.
The implications of government proposals to speed up planning: The Planning Briefing
We examine measures promised by ministers for the planning White Paper. By David Blackman.
