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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
Local Plan Watch: Three key findings on local plans from the National Audit Office's planning report
Earlier this month, public spending watchdog the National Audit Office (NAO) published its wide-ranging review of how well the planning system is supporting the delivery of new homes. Here are three key findings on local plans.
How Rosewell's proposals would affect inquiry participants
Changes to the planning inquiry process proposed by the government-backed Rosewell review could save participants a lot of time, say consultants. But the Planning Inspectorate needs more resources to implement the recommendations, says the RTPI.
Five things we learned from the government's design conference
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) held its 'Better Design for Better Places' conference in Birmingham last week. Here are five key things we learnt from the event.
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Government still considering further application fee rise, says chief planner
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The councils that have to find more housing land because of the delivery test, and those that have to find less
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Brokenshire 'looking seriously' at giving 'greater weight' to neighbourhood plans
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MPs urge halt to PD right changes as part of 'comprehensive review' of town centre policies
Latest Politics In Depth
Seven ways Bridget Rosewell's appeals review could change the planning inquiry process
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the findings of a review by economist Bridget Rosewell aiming to speed up timescales for planning appeal inquiries. Here are seven key changes that the report calls for.
What Brokenshire's local plan intervention climbdown means for the programme's future
The housing secretary's declaration that he will not take over plan production at Wirral and Thanet councils shows that Whitehall lacks enthusiasm for full-blown intervention, say commentators.
Five things you need to know about National Audit Office's planning probe
Last week, public spending watchdog the National Audit Office (NAO) published a highly critical report into the government's handling of the planning system, concluding that it was "clear the system is not working well". Here are four key findings from the report, plus details on what happens next.
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What a no-deal Brexit would mean for planning
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The implications of high housing ministry staff turnover
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What minister meant by need for 4-5 million homes 'in planning'
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Why the mayor is angry about the housing secretary's London interventions
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How ministers are resisting Parliament's push for more public sector land value uplift capture
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Five key messages from the TCPA conference
- Planning Officer (Career Grade) Sevenoaks District Council Sevenoaks, Kent
- Planning Officer- Surrey Park Avenue Recruitment Surrey
- Senior Compliance and Enforcement Officer Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Basingstoke, Hampshire
- Principal Development Management Planner Park Avenue Recruitment Bedfordshire
- Senior/Principal Planning Enforcement Officer Carrington West Ashford, Kent
Politics Comment
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.
Raynsford makes a compelling case for radical reform of the system, by Richard Garlick
The Raynsford review of the planning system makes sobering reading. It confronts planning professionals with some uncomfortable truths, not least that some "extremely poor quality" development is emerging from the system.
Why innuendo cries out for rapid action, by Graeme Bell
"They're lying on the planning application." "But there's nothing we can do." "They're powerful enough to get what they want without breaking the law." "That's why it pays to be friends with them. Yeah, they all watch each other's backs."
Government adviser's land value uplift proposals are worth noting, by Richard Garlick
During last year's election campaign, the Conservative and Labour parties said that they would pursue a greater share for the public purse of unearned gains conferred on landowners by planning permission or infrastructure development.
