Chief Planner’s update
On 8th July 2025 Joanna Averley, the MHCLG Chief Planner (pictured) issued an update to local authorities on
- Planning and Infrastructure Bill progress;
- AI technology to assist LPA planners;
- A faster and more efficient planning appeals process
- Biodiversity Net Gain consultations by DEFRA
- A new national standard for sustainable urban drainage
- A tool which will enable plan-makers and decision-takers to locate development in the most sustainable locations and plan for the transport infrastructure required to support it, and
- An opportunity to share your views on Natural England’s Ancient Woodland Standing Advice
Planning appeals accelerated
More planning appeals that are decided via written representations will be processed faster under a new, simplified set of Government regulations. Only evidence put before the local planning authority during the application process will be accepted. Details of the changes and the effect on appellants, LPAs and interested parties are here.
The lawyer Simon Ricketts has commented on the revised procedure:
“If this results in a crisper appeal process, without any loss of quality, there is much to like here, although care will be needed:
- This makes it all [more…]
Design Review Panels
Urban Design Learning has published a Code of Conduct for Design Review Panels.
It is based on 110 responses to their survey of local authorities across the country, drawing on their experience of such panels and their views on what could help build trust in them and ensure design review advice is trusted, professional and consistent.
Communities and local authorities could check if their Design Review Panel meets this Code of Conduct.
Planning in London, Issue 133, April-June 2025
Issue 133 of Planning in London, the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been released, covering the period April-June 2025. London Forum has an agreed subscription arrangement whereby our members may read it.
The full edition is not available on the website.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
Is architecture in crisis?
Planning enforcement
What’s happening in the Old Kent Road?
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…]
Most Popular This Week
-
Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 11th June | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
-
London Forum open meeting - Enforcement
📅 Mon 29th June | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
Speakers and agenda to be confirmed
Please save the date !