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News, in-depth reporting and discussion of politics and policy development affecting town planning, including political lobbying and party policies.
Latest Politics News
Government announces plans to ‘simplify and consolidate’ permitted development rights
The government has published plans to "simplify" and rationalise" permitted developments rights, as part of a review of such rights following recent changes to the Use Classes Order.
One in five councils face losing planning control under 2020 housing delivery test, Planning analysis shows
Almost one in five English councils are predicted to lose control of their planning policies for housing as a result of underperformance on the government's housing delivery test this year, according to an analysis by Planning.
Boroughs' land supply 'optimism bias' behind 86,000-home London Plan housing target shortfall, report says
There is a gap of 86,000 homes between London councils' likely housing delivery rates and the targets set in the new London Plan, with authorities guilty of "optimism bias" when assessing their land supply, a report by a consultancy has concluded.
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Seven things you need to know about the government's 2020 spending review
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Tory West Midlands mayor expects 'substantial change' to planning white paper
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MHCLG chief planner highlights new infrastructure levy, cross boundary planning and 'healthy places' as key themes of white paper responses
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Over half of Tory backbench MPs mooting opposition to government's planning changes, poll reveals
Latest Politics In Depth
The signs that the government may be rowing back on its radical planning agenda
Many policy-watchers suspect the departure of Dominic Cummings from the heart of Number 10 and widespread backbench opposition will see the government compromise on some of its more radical planning changes outlined in the white paper. However, they expect the broad deregulatory thrust of the measures to remain.
What we know about the government's new design advisory body
While the precise form of the new national design advisory body is yet to be determined, it is unlikely to have formal planning powers, the government has revealed. Experts say it is important that the new body does not impose a national design vision and acknowledges local distinctiveness.
What the proposed scrapping of the soundness test might mean for local plans
Plans to abolish the soundness test that local plans have to pass at examination and replace it with a "slimmed down" sustainable development assessment should help ease the promotion of large-scale settlements, say observers. However, some have raised concerns that it could mean development plans including less deliverable housing sites.
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What the government's latest First Homes proposals mean for councils and developers
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Jenrick's Cheshire housing appeal approval 'flies in the face of government commitment to a plan-led system'
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The likely risks and rewards of the proposed zonal plan system
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What the White Paper means for community control of planning
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What we know about the government’s planned Environmental Impact Assessment changes
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CIL Watch: Rural business group calls for removal of levy charges on new farm buildings
- Planning Officer Elmbridge Borough Council Esher, Surrey
- Various Planning Roles Folkestone & Hythe District Council Folkestone, Kent
- Urban Design Officer London Borough of Bromley Bromley (City/Town), London (Greater)
- X2 Senior/Principal Enforcement Officers - OUTSIDE IR35 Vivid Resourcing Gloucestershire
- Senior Planner – Development Manager Medway Council Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR
- Planner Policy & DM Medway Council Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR
- Assistant Director - Growth & Housing Wigan Council Wigan, Greater Manchester
- Town Planners Pegasus Planning Group Limited BIRMINGHAM | CIRENCESTER | NEWCASTLE
- Senior Planner Green Planning Studio Limited Shrewsbury, Shropshire
- Associate Director (Planning) Green Planning Studio Limited Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Politics Comment
Westminster’s failures show it might be time for a federal system, by Graeme Bell
Westminster's comparative inability, relative to the devolved nations, to unite the country in battling the pandemic is echoed in its lack of true leadership on planning issues. It's time to consider more a radical devolution of power.
Letter: Why the planning white paper's attempts to address viability challenges won’t lead to a housing increase
The main thrust of the government’s planning white paper is that planning is complex. This is obvious, but in the absence of a white paper complaining that open heart surgery is complex, we must for now take seriously the idea that perhaps something should be done.
White paper raises big questions about democratic control of development, by Richard Garlick
Predictions that the housing secretary, bruised by the controversy over his unlawful permission for a party donor, would avoid confrontation with his planning White Paper, have proved wide of the mark.
Why financial, political and placemaking realities mean council mergers are about to increase, by Catriona Riddell
Councils in Surrey recently announced that they were aiming to move from the current two-tier structure with eleven districts and one county council to unitary status, possibly one council, possibly two – that bit is still up for debate.
