Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter

A long newsletter by Chief Planner of MHCLG, Joanna Averley, was published to local authorities’ planning officers on 27th March 2026, covering:-

• Decision delegation,
• Emergency measures to support London housebuilding,
• Refundable deposit scheme for certain single-use drink containers,
• LPAs to set their own planning application fees,
• Government intervention if a LPA intends to refuse planning permission for a housing scheme of 150 dwellings or more,
• Regulations for new Local Plans to be submitted by 31 December 2026,
• The expedited appeals process,
• A Land Use Framework, and
• The Future Homes and Buildings Standards.