Neighbourhood planning support
Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) can claim grants for the costs they incur in meeting their neighbourhood planning duties in 2025-26 (as introduced by the Localism Act 2011).
The window for completing and certifying claim forms is open until Friday 6 March 2026 and details are here.
For Neighbourhood plans not yet made, LPAs can claim £20,000 from when they issue a decision statement detailing their intention to send the plan to referendum. They can claim £5,000 for each of the first 5 neighbourhood forums they designate.
Nature Restoration Fund
The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is part of Part 3 the Planning and Infrastructure Act. It provides for Natural England to submit draft Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) to the Secretary of State. If the EDP is approved, this will allow developers to discharge their relevant responsibilities by paying a levy to meet environmental responsibilities relating to certain protected sites and species.
The Government has published a policy paper on implementing the NRF and DEFRA has issued a blog about it for [more…]
Single Construction Regulator
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report recommended a single regulator that draws together functions relating to the construction industry.
There is a Government consultation on a Single Construction Regulator until 20th March 2026.
New NPPF consultation
The Government issued a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework with a consultation until 10th March 2026. London Forum’s members are asked to consider the local implications of the proposed planning rules and to respond to the consultation. Specific concerns or recommendations can be notified to us.
There was a long debate in Parliament on the proposed new NPPF.
The lawyer Nicola Gooch has issued an NPPF briefing with additional links and Simon Ricketts has commented on the content of the new NPPF.
Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
Joanna Averley, MHCLG’s Chief Planner, has issued her latest newsletter to local authorities.
It covers the new NPPF; the Planning & Infrastructure Bill; Planning Advisory Service events; funding for LPAs; planning skills and capacity survey results; consultation on cross-pavement solutions for electric vehicle charging; climate guidance by RTPI and TCPA; Neighbourhood Planning financial support and getting Sustainable Urban Drainage right from the start.
Planning changes for London and for Local Plans
Government Chief Planner, Joanna Averley, issued another update on producing Local Plans, and next steps regarding planning measures for London.
The Local Plan changes, as set out in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, are explained here. There is guidance for LPAs and a statement by Mathew Pennycook MP.
There are two consultations for London, one on temporary relief from CIL and another on removal of elements of LPG guidance that can constrain density.
London Forum’s members should respond to those and send a copy to [more…]
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Business Rates relief
Contesting land or property
Household Projections and Housing Targets
The latest projections from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that between 2022 and 2032, the number of households in England is expected to grow from 23.5 million to 25.9 million, [more…]
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