Information Links
Planning Resource
Main Navigation
Politics
News, in-depth reporting and discussion of politics and policy development affecting town planning, including political lobbying and party policies.
Latest Politics News
Planning system 'must provide strong policy support for onshore wind to meet zero carbon target'
The planning system needs to provide "strong policy support" for renewable energy projects, including onshore wind, if the government is to meet its commitment to eliminate UK carbon emissions by 2050, a cross-party group of MPs has said.
Government announces 'rigorous' review of HS2 project
An independent review of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project will consider whether alternative schemes could deliver the same connectivity, capacity, economic and environmental benefits, the government has announced.
Let councils set planning fees to help deal with austerity cuts, say MPs
Planning application fees should be set locally to help councils deal with the financial impacts of Whitehall's austerity cuts, a House of Commons committee has recommended, after finding that spending on planning and development services has dropped more since 2009/10 than any other area of local government.
Latest Politics In Depth
What the new housing ministerial team has in store for planning
The arrival of a new housing secretary and housing minister may herald support for new settlements, development corporations and land value capture mechanisms, observers suggest, while their early statements indicate a focus on home ownership and continued green belt protection.
What Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister could mean for planning
Johnson's record as London mayor and his pronouncements in his newspaper column indicate a favourable attitude towards the development sector and boosting housing supply. However, he has also voiced support for minimum space standards and build for rent and expressed concerns about industrial-to-residential permitted development rights.
Why planning authorities may struggle to implement government advisors' plans to beautify building
Interim recommendations by the government's design quality commission would place "beauty" at the heart of the planning system. Commentators expect the new Prime Minister to take forward the agenda, but suggest that under-resourced councils might struggle to push for higher design standards.
-
Why the forecast rise in councils' revenue development spending will not benefit core planning services
-
What we know about Jeremy Hunt's approach to planning
-
What the Tory leadership contenders have in store for planning
-
What the rise of local political parties opposing housing plans means for applicants and authorities
-
Q&A: Independent inquiries review chair Bridget Rosewell on the PINS action plan
-
What the local election results mean for planning
- Head of Planning Policy and Strategy London Borough of Bromley Bromley (London Borough), London (Greater)
- Specialists Development Management (Planning) South Somerset District Council Yeovil, Somerset
- Assistant Planning Manager (50% Part-Time) CPRE Lancashire Lancashire
- Planning Director | Coventry area | East / South / West Midlands background | Equity role Lewis Davey Near Coventry
- Town Planner (Rural Projects) | Cirencester | 2+ years’ experience preferred Lewis Davey Cirencester
Politics Comment
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.
EU and UK need a radical reinvention of regional policy and planning, by Cliff Hague
Brexit has dominated the UK news agenda, but scant attention has been paid to its impact on the EU, and the EU's capacity to address the kind of regional disparities that decided the 2016 referendum.
Permitted development rights won't save the high street, by Joey Gardiner
The government's consultation on allowing shops, restaurants and other high street uses to change to offices without planning permission raises concerns, says Joey Gardiner.
