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Amendments to EIA regulations (October 2008)
Whilst it has been a best practice point for several years, EIA can now formally be required at all stages of the planning process irrespective of whether an EIA has already been undertaken.
Regional Spatial Strategies: South West Proposed Changes (September 2008)
The Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes demonstrate the Government’s commitment to deliver housing in the South West. However, this Comment found no clear guidance on how the requirements for new employment and commercial development are to be delivered.
South East Plan - Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes (August 2008)
Proposed changed to the South East Plan include increased regional housing requirements, support for economic growth and renewable energy, and a Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area. This Comment found overall strategy to be disjointed, limiting the scope for more radical changes.
Planning for a Better London (August 2008)
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has produced a ‘direction of travel’ document, “Planning for a Better London”, to clarify the key areas he wishes to address in revising the London Plan.
Regional Spatial Strategies: East Midlands Proposed Changes (July 2008)
The Government is backing East Midlands growth with a variety of changes to the East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). This Comment highlights the changes, which include new housing proposals and a policy on Strategic Distribution (Logistics).
Sustainable Seas for All - Scotland's first marine bill (July 2008)
The Scottish Government has just published the Marine Bill, “Sustainable Seas for All” for consultation. This comment explores the new proposals.
Facing up to Housing and Regeneration Challenges (July 2008)
This Comment provides a summary review of documents published by the Government in relation to planning, housing and regeneration.
PPS6: Reassessing Town Centre Developments (July 2008)
The Government has launched its long awaited consultation on changes to Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres (PPS6). This Comment provides an overview of the key changes together with our view on the likely implications on retail development.
PPS12: Local Spatial Planning (June 2008)
Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12) replaces previous versions to set out the Government's policy on local spatial planning. This Comment looks at how this plays a central role in the overall task of place shaping and in the delivery of land uses and associated activities.
Draft Heritage Protection Bill (June 2008)
The Draft Heritage Protection Bill was published in February 2008 as the latest in a series of government publications considering the review of the heritage planning system.
Growth Agenda for Yorkshire and Humber (June 2008)
The final version of the new regional plan for Yorkshire and the Humber has been published. The new plan confirms the Governments’ growth agenda for the region.
Scotland's Development Plan (May 2008)
This consultation paper sought views on development plan examinations regulations as they will relate to proposed strategic development plans (SDPs) and local development plans (LDPs).
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (May 2008)
An outline of the current plans for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and who is involved. Setting out the procurement process and timeline to deliver the athletes ‘village’ in Dalmarnock.
Funding Infrastructure (May 2008)
The Government has committed to building more homes through a package of measures to reform the planning system and deliver increased investment in infrastructure, supporting sustainable housing growth. This Comment charts the debate.
Competition Commission - Future Food Stores (May 2008)
Competition is to be a material consideration in deciding planning applications for new food stores. This paper covers findings of the final report into the Competition Commission’s investigation into the grocery market and sets out the potential tests that could be placed on the market.
Planning and Climate Change (April 2008)
This Comment discusses the PPS on Planning and Climate Change that was released in its final version on 17th December 2007. The PPS emphasises the importance of the planning system in delivering sustainable development and responding to climate change, and advocates the use of renewables and low-carbon energy in reducing carbon emissions.
Linking Economic Performance (April 2008)
There is increasing political momentum on improving economic performance and spatial planning. This paper reviews PPS 4 (consultation), City Development Companies and the creation of an economic masterplan by Creative Sheffield.
Proposed Changes to Glasgow City Plan 2 (March 2008)
This comment summarises the recently published report on Representations and Proposed Changes to Glasgow City Plan 2. Covering new energy, tall buildings and open space policy's, as well as other policy changes.
Increased Planning Application Fees in England (March 2008)
Details of the forthcoming increase in Planning Application Fees after 6 April 2008.
The New Consolidated London Plan 2008 (March 2008)
The updated spatial strategy for London, covering Climate Change, Renewables, Decentralised energy, Sub-Regions, Affordable Housing, Children's play and informal recreation and other Mayor of London publications.
Regional Spatial Strategies: West Midlands (March 2008)
The theme of sustainable development and climate change has been placed at the heart of the RSS. This paper covers Urban Renaissance, housing, employment land requirements and town and city centre developments in the West Midlands.
Regional Spatial Strategies: More Homes for the North East (February 2008)
Further Proposed Changes to RSS for North East have been published by the Secretary of State for consultation. This paper covers housing provision, housing distribution, phasing and delivery of housing, employment land provision and Prestige Employment Sites which are re-named as Key Employment Locations.
Scottish Town Centres and Retailing (February 2008)
Retail planning techniques should be used in order to provide a clearer picture on the function and future role of town centres both individually and as a network of centres.
PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Development (January 2008)
This new PPS encourages a wide understanding of the needs of business in the planning environment. Key policy objectives include raising productivity, maximising job opportunities, reducing regional differences and tackling deprivation.
Regional Spatial Strategies: Timetable Review (October 2007)
Snapshot of Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) drafting process, current status and selected issues arising in each of the English regions.
Regional Spatial Strategies: Yorks and Humberside (October 2007)
The proposed changes to the RSS for Yorkshire and Humber follow on the publication of the Examination in Public Panel Report in May 2007, and is the penultimate stage in the preparation process.
City Development Companies (October 2007)
The benefits of efficient spatial planning are seen to be vital in supporting economic development. This briefing note outlines the role and function of the Government proposed City Development Companies as potential vehicles for promoting economic growth and regeneration across English cities and city-regions.
Retail Planning - Back to the future? (October 2007)
The Town Centres First policy is paying dividends as new schemes are set to open across the UK.
Regional Spatial Strategies: South East (August 2007)
The publication of the Panel’s Report on the 29 August 2007 represents a key stage in the production of a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South East Region.
Homes for the Future (July 2007)
“Homes for the Future: More Affordable, More Sustainable” outlines the Government’s plans to substantially increase the supply of new homes in the period to 2020.
Planning Process Agreements (July 2007)
The time taken by local authorities to process planning applications is a frequent source of frustration, cost and delay for developers. The use of statutory decision periods and performance targets linked to national audit and Government funding incentives has had some effect in recent years.
Planning for a Sustainable Future - Planning White Paper (May 2007)
“Planning for a Sustainable Future”, the White Paper on further reforms to the planning system in England was published in May 2007. This sets out the proposals for further reform to the planning system and concentrates on how major, nationally significant, infrastructure projects should be delivered.
PPS3: Planning for New Housing (November 2006)
The Government has published a suite of documents setting out the proposals for planning for housing. This is in response to the view that there is shortage of land available for housing, which impacts on broader economic and social policy objectives.
Environmental Assessments (September 2006)
This briefing paper outlines the circumstances where an Environmental Assessment may now be required with reserved matters applications.
Design and Access Statements (July 2006)
Comments on Design and Access Statements accompanying applications when applying for both outline and full planning permission. These statements explain the design principles, concepts and processes that inform a development.
Planning Control of Mezzanines (April 2006)
New legislation restricts the expansion of out-of-town retail floorspace.
Planning for Housing Provision (July 2005)
Comments on proposed PGS as a source of finance released from the land value created by the planning process. This is to assist financing of infrastructure to support new housing and growth.
PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development (February 2005)
PPS1 sets out the overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system. The aim is to deliver high levels of employment, social inclusion, sustainable communities, and personal well-being.
