Chief Planner’s update

Joanna Averley [Photo MHCLG]

Published On: 4th June 2025

The MHCLG Chief Planner, Johanna Averley (pictured), has issued a newsletter to local authority planners. It covers a Modernised Planning Committees consultation and speeding up build-out with Completion Notices, a Delayed Homes Penalty and Compulsory Purchase Orders, as in a recent Working Paper and Technical Consultation.

The Government proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill amendments to remove the statutory requirement to consult in the pre-application stage for NSIP applications.

DEFRA is consulting on options for how Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) should be applied and MHCLG issued a related Working Paper on making the planning system fairer for SME builders.

The Government has implemented Permitted Development for households and businesses installing off-street charge points, and for households installing air source heat pumps.

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