Environment and Climate

15Apr 2026

Manual for Streets update

15th April 2026|Categories: Updates|Tags: , , |

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.

14Apr 2026

Environmental Outcomes Reports

14th April 2026|Categories: Updates|Tags: , |

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 [more…]

04Apr 2026

Demolition and Redevelopment or Retrofit

4th April 2026|Categories: Updates|Tags: , , , |

Research was commissioned by MHCLG between September and November 2024 to understand how planning policy and guidance supports decision-making on the demolition or retrofit of buildings.

The report by Verian on that research is here. There is strong support for clearer national guidance, standardised carbon assessment methods, fiscal measures such as VAT harmonisation to incentivise retrofit, and mandating consideration of retrofit in planning applications.

Stakeholders highlighted challenges including Local Authority resource constraints and skills gaps in retrofit delivery.

The Government has not indicated yet the next steps.

21Mar 2026

Reforms to Building Energy Performance regime

21st March 2026|Categories: Updates|Tags: , |

A ‘Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime’ consultation was published on 4th December 2024. It had proposals on what reformed Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will measure and when EPCs will be required.

The Government issued a partial response to that consultation on 9th March 2026 and intends to issue a further response in 2026 covering the remaining parts of the consultation and additional questions. Subject to parliamentary approvals, it is intended to bring forward regulations in 2026 to make these changes ahead of implementing new-style [more…]

11Feb 2026

Barriers to historic building retrofit

11th February 2026|Categories: Updates|Tags: , , , , |

A New Grosvenor report warns that England’s three million listed buildings and conservation area homes are being trapped in cold, costly decline by an outdated planning system

Local authorities spend the equivalent of 4,000 working days a year approving low-risk energy efficiency works that are almost always consented anyway

Retrofitting listed properties and buildings in conservation areas in England and Wales could deliver around 30% of the annual emissions reductions needed to meet the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget.

Our new Resources page has some useful retrofit [more…]

08Jan 2026

Oxford Street pedestrianisation

8th January 2026|Categories: Updates|Tags: , , , , |

Consultation on this subject closes on January 22nd, as here.

Neither of the two remaining diverted bus routes near to Oxford Street reach Regent Street, so we oppose the proposed curtailment of the 24-hour 94 bus service at Marble Arch. It would reduce options for travelling home after late night visits to the West End when Underground services finish.

Members can make views known to the Mayor here, including for the 94 buses to be routed via Wigmore street.

Opinion is divided on the efficacy [more…]

05Jan 2026

ESSA Introduction & Retrofit Guides

5th January 2026|Categories: Updates|Tags: , , |

Our new member ESSA (The Edwardes Square Scarsdale and Abingdon Association) has written an introduction to their work in the attached pdf document.

We’ve added links to their professionally produced and comprehensive retrofitting guides on the new Resources page. Their guides focus separately on typical Victorian, mansion block and modern buildings in London. We’ve also posted links to the Bedford Park Society’s timely Energy Guide which addresses some of the same areas (mentioned in member news last month), and while on the topic of keeping this week’s [more…]

01Jan 2026

Nature Restoration Fund

1st January 2026|Categories: Updates|Tags: , , |

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…]

18Dec 2025

Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter

18th December 2025|Categories: Updates|Tags: , , , |

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.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?  Try a new search:

Manual for streets 2010 [CiHT]
Manual for Streets update
The DfT has circulated a draft of the eagerly awaited Manual for Streets update. Christopher Martin expresses the wish that it must ...
EIA become EOR
Environmental Outcomes Reports
In March 2023, the previous government published a consultation on Environmental Outcomes Reports. The current Government has published its response to the ...
Joanna Averley
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:- ...
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