News

The Government issued in December 2022 two linked consultations to 2nd March 2023 on changes to the planning system that will arise from the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent in its final form, together with other changes which the consultation describes and regulations that the Secretary of State will produce.
There is a consultation included on a draft version of a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which at this stage contains some of those changes but will be amended as more are confirmed.… Read more...

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has demanded answers and action from Orbit Housing, Lambeth Council, Hackney Council and Notting Hill Housing after the Ombudsman found severe maladministration in their handling of complaints. They follow eleven other providers to have faced severe maladministration findings. More details here.
Michael Gove said “Housing providers will have nowhere to hide once our Social Housing Bill becomes law early next year. A beefed-up Regulator will have the power to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs with landlords footing the bill.”

Further to the updates below on this subject, the December 2022 issue of Insights gave more details on #LURB including that the Government had suspended the Commons Report Stage discussions on amendments to the Bill, due to Tory MPs’ rebellion against Government imposition of housing targets.
The Secretary of State considered the points made and the proposals for changes submitted for the Bill and he wrote a letter to MPs on 5th December about them and followed it with a statement outlining amendments to the Bill and other Government planning intentions.… Read more...

A further Planning Newsletter was published on 28 November by the DLUHC Chief Planner to local authorities and it covered:

• Nutrient Neutrality Update
• Housing Design Awards (open for entry on 1 December 2022)
• DLUHC Planning Software Improvement Fund
• Natural England testing of a Biodiversity Net Gain Habitat Management and Monitoring template
• PAS guidance on Biodiversity Net Gain and Nature Recovery
• Slurry Infrastructure grant and habitats regulations assessment
• Planning practice guidance on flood risk and coastal change training, by the Town and Country Planning Association on 13 December 2022
• Short films on Natural Flood Management for planners

Historic England has published its Heritage at Risk Register for 2022 with its annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic places and those most at risk due to neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Buildings at risk in London and the South East are listed here.

The details of the cabinet of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP are here.
There are comments on the appointments and activities of DLUHC.

The financial settlement for Transport for London was explained in a letter by the Government which indicates on what the Mayor can spend the money and what may not yet be funded.
here are comments on the implications in a MyLondon report.< ONLONDON interviewed the Commissioner of Transport for London, Andy Byford, who expressed pride in the “acceptable” funding agreement secured, saying it has saved London from the worst outcomes implied by the Government’s initial offer.

Joanna Averley has issued her September 2022 letter to planning officers.
It contains an update to the Healthy and Safe Communities guidance for Councils to put controls on litter when considering applications for takeaway food businesses.
Lambeth and Southwark councils are trialling a new user-centred service for planning applications, as here.

An appeal was dismissed on a proposed development in LB Barnet as here.
The Inspector made good use of the NPPF, some London Plan policies and the latest BRE guidelines on natural light standards to homes in finding the development too dense within it and too harmful to its surroundings. An article in the London Forum’s September 2022 Insights gives more details which civic and community groups could use in other situations.
There is a UDL guide on applying design considerations in planning appeals.

The future of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill will not be clarified until Parliament reconvenes in October 2022. Meanwhile, Hugh Ellis of TCPA has written a blog about the situation.
Clive Betts MP Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee wrote on 24th August 2022 to Secretary of State the Rt Hon Greg Clark, MP, with concerns about the Bill.
Mr Betts commented that “It has been difficult to conduct scrutiny due to a lot of the detail of the provisions having not yet been published.… Read more...