Claims by English local authorities that they face a financial shortfall this year of more than £1 billion and will be forced to make further cuts to local services despite the government’s £500 million Covid-19 rescue package feature in today’s newspaper round-up.
Corby allows huge logistics scheme on unallocated site despite local plan officers’ concerns
Corby Borough Council has given the green light to plans for a 400,000 square metre logistics scheme on open countryside despite the authority’s own local plan officers’ expressing concerns that the site is not allocated for development.
Brent gives go-ahead to 509-home scheme on industrial site
The London Borough of Brent has given the go-ahead to plans for a 509-home mixed-use scheme on a designated industrial site, despite the loss of commercial floorspace.
New demolition and upwards extension permitted development rights will be introduced this month, says Jenrick
New permitted development (PD) rights allowing vacant commercial and residential buildings to be demolished for new housing and individual homes to extend upwards will be introduced “before the summer recess”, the housing secretary Robert Jenrick has said.
The implications of automatically extending consents due to lapse in the pandemic
Plans to allow automatic extensions to planning permissions that are due to lapse during the Covid-19 crisis have finally been confirmed by the government, to the relief of the development sector. But the new measures throw up some potential challenges for decision-makers and developers where consents have already lapsed, say observers.
Why the new upwards extension permitted development right for blocks of flats may have limited uptake
A new permitted development right allowing two-storey upwards extensions to purpose-built blocks of flats to create new homes comes into force next month.
CIL Watch: New draft regulations allow councils to defer levy payments
New regulations were laid before parliament this week which will pave the way for deferral of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments where firms are experiencing financial difficulties connected with the Covid-19 outbreak.
Councils can defer CIL payments from smaller developers for up to six months, say new regulations
Councils will be able to defer community infrastructure levy (CIL) payments from smaller developers for up to six months but there will be no right of appeal for applicants if authorities refuse their request, according to new regulations and guidance.
Review: Opening up public space
The Walthamstow Wetlands project has opened up reservoirs and areas around them in north east London with a simple network of paths, finds Ian Hingley.
Leading QC joins Keating Chambers to set up new planning practice
Keating Chambers has appointed barrister Charles Banner QC to establish a new planning and environment practice at the chambers.