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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
RTPI, BPF and HBF call for ministers to allow English permissions to extend during pandemic
Developers, housebuilders and planners have urged the government to follow Scotland's lead and allow the automatic extensions of planning permissions due to expire during the coronavirus crisis, with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) describing the move as a "measured and pragmatic approach" in "unprecedented times".
Manchester grants chief exec power over planning decisions to help address coronavirus impacts
Planning decisions in Manchester will be taken by the council’s chief executive for up to eight months, after councillors agreed to grant delegated authority during the coronavirus outbreak.
How housing need assessment might change
The housing ministry has proposed a shake-up of its standard method of assessing housing need. Commentators say this has been prompted by ministers' concerns about the loss of green belt and greenfield land, but opinions differ as to how radical the changes might be.
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RTPI calls on planners to come forward with ideas on coronanvirus response
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RTPI, RICS and RIBA urge PM to relax application time limits to ease coronavirus impact
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The implications of the housing secretary's London Plan intervention
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London Assembly report finds 'minimal progress' on neighbourhood planning in the capital
Latest Politics In Depth
Ministers say Sadiq Khan's housing record is 'deeply disappointing'. What does the data say?
In February, before the coronavirus made electioneering in the capital a less urgent priority, London mayor Sadiq Khan put out a press release. It revealed statistics showing that he was on course to meet his affordable housing target this year – to see work started on 17,000 affordable homes. If he achieves it, it will be the first time in four years he has come close to that kind of level.
How Downing Street's new planning adviser is likely to impact policy development
The influence of the new Number 10 special adviser is likely to be boosted by the centralisation of power signalled by the latest cabinet reshuffle, say insiders, but Jack Airey could still face challenges from within Whitehall in turning his ideas into government policy.
What Christopher Pincher's appointment as housing minister means for planning
While the Tamworth MP does not have much of a track record when it comes to planning, experts say the latest housing minister is a Boris Johnson loyalist who has been appointed to help deliver Number 10's agenda.
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Why a proposal to cut out councillors from planning decision-making is unlikely to be taken forward
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The challenges facing the planned fast-track route for 'beautiful' schemes
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The policy and legislation changes to expect in 2020
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What the growth of local political parties means for planning
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What the Brexit withdrawal agreement bill means for planning
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Seven key tasks in the new government's in-tray
- Project Officer - Planning Exeter City Council Exeter, Devon
- Senior Planning Officers North Lincolnshire Council North Lincolnshire
- Planner- Principal Planner (Career Grade) London Borough of Bexley Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
- Senior Policy Planners Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Cambridgeshire
- Principal Policy Planner (Project Manager) Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Cambridgeshire
- Assistant Planner - Solar Development Low Carbon Gloucester, Gloucestershire
- Forward Planning and Economic Growth Team Manager Mansfield and Ashfield Shared Service Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottingham
- Planning Officer Falkland Islands Government Falkland Islands (FK)
- Senior Planning Policy Officers X 2 Royal Borough of Kingston Kingston Upon Thames (City/Town), London (Greater)
- Deputy Team Leader – Planning Applications Ashford Borough Council Ashford, Kent
Politics Comment
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.
Hard to gauge the impact of any eventual Brexit on planning and development, by Cliff Hague
With the election in full swing, it remains difficult to know just what form Brexit might take - if indeed it happens. It is even harder to guess what impacts it might have on planning and development.
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.
Both candidates seem likely to be pro-development Prime Ministers, by Richard Garlick
Firm policy commitments from the two remaining Tory leadership candidates have been thin on the ground.
