The Government has published a Draft Fees Order, introducing significant increases in planning application fees, set to take effect from 1st April 2025. Key changes include:Householder applications: Fees will more than double, rising from £258 to £528. Section […]
Planning Reform and Policy in 2025
2024 saw a new government enter 10 Downing Street and with it a pledge to get ‘Britain building again‘ starting with 1.5 million homes over the next five years. We are now seeing the implementation […]
Navigating the New National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has recently been updated bringing with it the government’s goal of reforming planning policy in England. For private developers, landowners, and local governments alike, the redesigned framework, that came into […]
New NPPF Consultation to be Launched This Month
The Government will consult on revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and write to local planning authorities to say that universal local plan coverage and green belt reviews are required, before the end […]
Devolution and a Welcome Infrastructure Boost for the North East
Following their victory at the 2024 General Election, the Labour Party have said they are committed to changes in both devolution of power and infrastructure, with significant implications for the North East region. Labour’s manifesto […]
Onshore Wind Farms: New UK Government Lifts Ban
The de facto ban on onshore wind farms has been scrapped as part of a range of planning reforms unveiled by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to boost growth. Green campaigners and the energy sector have welcomed […]
Can Labour Balance Their Push for Faster Infrastructure Approvals?
In their manifesto, Labour have said they would make changes to planning policy so that the time taken to approve new roads, railways, reservoirs, and other nationally significant infrastructure would be substantially reduced. However, it’s […]
Labour’s Upcoming Planning Reforms
It’s all change in the planning world as Labour is preparing to announce changes to planning regulations as early as next week. The timing and the extent of the changes is still unclear, but given […]
The Pre-Election Period and Planning
Following the announcement yesterday, a general election is to be held on 4th July 2024. As part of this, we are going to be entering a pre-election period from the 30th May, allowing the required […]
Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill receives Royal Assent
On 26th October, 2023, the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill of 2022-23 received Royal Assent, officially becoming the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023, often referred to as LURA 2023. While the full scope of LURA 2023 is […]
Will changes to national planning policy encourage onshore wind development?
Last week, the Government announced amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to ease planning restrictions. The hope is that it will make it easier for onshore wind farms to be built, and end […]
NPPF Changes and the Impact on Local Plans: A Manchester Perspective
Proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will make it easier to plan for fewer homes. The Government’s justification is for greater emphasis on the plan-making system, but plans will now not have […]