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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
Rowley confirmed as minister responsible for planning
The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has confirmed that new housing minister Lee Rowley is responsible for planning, including “overall reform” of the system.
Government should be building 500k plus homes a year to account for higher immigration, says think tank
The government’s 300,000 homes a year target for England in 2022 should have been revised up to in excess of half a million to account for higher levels of net migration, according to a report by a free market think tank, which claims we have fallen “woefully short” of delivering enough homes.
‘Quarter of Labour MPs have opposed new affordable homes in their areas’
A report claiming that a quarter of Labour MPs have opposed the building of affordable homes in their constituencies despite the party’s promise to boost housebuilding leads our round-up of news in other media.
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Government proposes ministerial ‘star chamber’ to drive major infrastructure delivery and confirms one-year route for certain projects
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New government task force to consider a more ‘spatial’ approach to infrastructure planning
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What the appointment of a previous incumbent as housing minister means for planning
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‘Permitted development proposal to allow houses to turn into flats is toxic for Tory suburbia’
Latest Politics In Depth
When we can expect the levelling up act’s measures to come into effect
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act has just gained Royal Assent. While a few of its planning provisions will come into effect within the next few months, most of them will require much further work before implementation.
The planning track record of new housing minister Lee Rowley
During his previous tenure in the role, Rowley was supportive of former prime minister Liz Truss’s plans to scrap what she described as centrally-set housebuilding ‘targets’. He has also been outspoken in opposing green belt development within his own constituency, and previously called for a “regional approach” to planning.
The fallout from Gove’s letter to council chiefs urging them to get on with plan-making
A letter sent by the housing secretary to council chiefs and leaders urging them to carry on plan-making has prompted a degree of confusion among practitioners. Some say the document may be cited as a material consideration in planning decisions and could lead to the loss of affordable housing if misinterpreted.
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The challenges facing Labour’s bold planning pledges
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What the government’s decision to ditch the northern leg of HS2 means for planners
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Nine key planning messages from the Liberal Democrat conference (updated)
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What the appointment of Angela Rayner as shadow housing secretary means for planning
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The government’s latest thinking on its new strategic planning arrangements
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How political parties will adjust their planning approach in light of May's local election results
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Planning Officer
South Hams District Council / West Devon Borough Council, Totnes, Devon
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Senior Planning Officer
South Hams District Council / West Devon Borough Council, Totnes, Devon
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Urban Design, Conservation and Environment Team Leader
Cherwell DC, Bodicote House
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Student Planner/Planning Officer (Career Graded)
Cherwell DC, Bodicote House
Politics Comment
How I’d change planning if I was Prime Minister, by Catriona Riddell
The next government must speed up local plan-making, draw up a national plan and reintroduce formal sub-regional plans, says our columnist
Backing build-to-rent distracts from the real priority of more social housing, by Cliff Hague
Increasing the supply of build-to-rent properties at discounted market rates would not solve the problem of a shortage of affordable housing, says our columnist.
The government promise of further infrastructure planning revolution that you may have missed, by Angus Walker
New government plans for broader changes to the infrastructure planning system, including possible alterations to thresholds for accessing the application route for nationally significant projects, were overshadowed by the party conference furore over HS2 cuts, says our columnist.
Planning is being abandoned by a government desperate to cling to power, by Graeme Bell
Opposition to measures intended to slow climate change is no reason to ditch vital policies, says our columnist
