As councils “reluctantly” return to holding physical planning committees that allow public attendance in light of recent court rulings, many face a logistical headache in organising lawful meetings that comply with current Covid restrictions. This has resulted in some authorities postponing meetings this month, observers say, while others seek bigger accommodation or are even using marshalls and ticketing systems.
Eight areas where election results will change planning and development
We highlight eight areas of England where changes in political control following last week’s local and mayoral elections are likely to have the greatest impact on planning and development.
Theresa May leads Tory backbenchers’ concerns over planning bill measures
The former Prime Minister and an ex-environment secretary are among the Conservative MPs who have expressed concerns over proposals in the planning bill announced in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech, including that it would limit “local involvement” in the planning process.
Senior local government officials to speak at National Planning Summit 2021
Senior officials from local planning authorities will speak at Planning’s virtual national conference on 18-19 May.
Developer contributions shake-up to proceed in new planning bill
Plans to create a “more predictable and more transparent” developer contributions levy to replace the current system of section 106 agreements and the community infrastructure levy (CIL) will proceed in the upcoming planning bill, the government confirmed today.
Rule changes for development corporations on the way, after government consulted on beefing them up
The government has said that the planning bill will change the rules governing development corporations, which it has previously suggested could be given broader powers over plan-making and development management, as well as greater access to developer contributions.
NPPF policy on considering green belt ‘special circumstances’ is ‘not a mathematical exercise’, High Court rules
The High Court has backed a planning inspector’s consideration of the “very special circumstances” necessary to allow inappropriate green belt development in granting permission for a traveller camp, after a judge concluded that the NPPF’s policy on the issue is “guidance” and does not require “a particular mathematical exercise”.
Top barrister to speak at National Planning Summit
A leading barrister will discuss how a proposed new duty for developers to deliver a ten per cent uplift in biodiversity through their schemes will work in practice at Planning’s virtual national conference on 18-19 May.
Businessman handed suspended eight-month jail sentence for ignoring planning breach court orders
A businessman and traveller whose unlawful caravan encampment infuriated an affluent Cheshire village has been handed a suspended eight-month prison sentence for his “repeated disobedience” in breaching a council injunction and other court orders.
Correction
On Wednesday, we published a story ‘Go-ahead for 1,850-home Birmingham mixed-use scheme despite conservation area harm’.