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The DfT has circulated a draft of the eagerly awaited Manual for Streets update.

Christopher Martin expresses the wish that it must not become just another well-meaning advisory document.

He wrote “My hope for the next Manual for Streets is simple: That it stops asking politely. That it gives practitioners permission, and obligation, to design streets around people, not vehicles.”

The source of this news item is an article in Building Design.

In March 2023, the previous government published a consultation on Environmental Outcomes Reports.

The current Government has published its response to the EOR consultation. It gives a summary of the 278 responses made and states that there will be a consultation on EOR regulations and guidance.

The lawyer Nicola Gooch of Birketts has published a blog explaining that Environmental Outcomes Reports will be introduced to replace the current system of Strategic Environmental Assessments Also, the blog provides a useful list of all of the secondary legislation introduced recently.

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.

London is missing out on the benefits of mid-rise housing, and clearer planning policy is needed, according to a new report from the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee published in March 2026.

Chair of the committee, James Small‑Edwards AM, said:

“Mid-rise housing offers the liveable, human‑scale density that residents want and that our city needs. Our recommendations set out practical steps to support higher-quality development, rebuild trust with communities, and ensure the next London Plan provides a stronger, more strategic approach to meeting London’s housing needs.”

Communities and local leaders will benefit from new powers in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, to protect local spaces, shape their high streets, and celebrate culture, according to a Government press release here.

Local people will see stronger and more public scrutiny of their regional mayors, through new Local Scrutiny Committees.

The Community Right to Buy listing period doubles from five to ten years and the Bill introduces the separate category of “sporting assets of community value”.… Read more...

On 23rd March 2026 the Government issued a consultation on the New Towns draft programme, including Crews Hill and Chase Park in LB Enfield and Thamesmead in LB Greenwich. The consultation ends on 19th May 2026.

Consultations were commenced also on fees for planning applications, the types of applications that may have to be referred to the Secretary of State and a policy paper on the implementation proposals for streamlining infrastructure planning.

In a blog by the lawyer Nicola Gooch of Birketts, links to those announcements are given, plus comment on them.

On 16th March, London Forum issued an update about an 18th April National Housing Demonstration about the crisis of lack of social housing and secure affordable private rented accommodation, making it almost impossible for most people in London to get a decent home.

We have been asked by one of our members, Peckham Vision, to send London Forum members a plea for people to sign up to attend the event and receive notification of where it will be held.… Read more...