Lichfields UK

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The announcment from north-east mayor Kim McGuinness on a High Streets Commission provides new impetus for town centre regeneration - read my blog to hear my thoughts on what this could potentially achieve and the role for planning in all of this. Lichfields UK The North East Combined Authority #highstreets #regeneration #planning https://lnkd.in/eCNQECwC

📢 Join us for a breakfast briefing in partnership with Lichfields UK on their latest co-living insight research, followed by a discussion with industry leaders.   🏢 Hear from Lichfields Associate Director Georgia Crowley and the expert panel as they explore key topics including the use class for co-living, London’s planning policy and common myths surrounding the sector. They’ll also discuss trends in co-living applications - covering location, scale and form - and share strategies for addressing typical challenges in the planning process.   📅 Date: Wednesday 5 March | 8am - 10am  📍 Location: Lichfields, The Minster Building, 21 Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7AG   Don’t miss this opportunity to network with other BPF Futures members and get the latest insights on co-living. Guest speakers will be announced soon!   ➡️ Book here: https://lnkd.in/ebV6ETQe Abigail H., Christopher Mizen

Read Phil Mccarthy's latest blog which considers Green Development in the Grey Belt area. [link in comments] A revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published in late 2024, to much fanfare. There was particular enthusiasm regarding the introduction of the “grey belt” concept. At the time of publication, much of the noise around grey belt in popular press coverage focused on how this was designed to increase housing delivery and how this concept would lead to urban sprawl, open the floodgates to housing anywhere and everywhere and would concrete over the countryside etc. etc. (all the familiar, usually unfounded, arguments that are rolled out on these occasions). But, what about energy projects…?

Lichfields jointly hosted a seminar with Walker Morris LLP in the grand surroundings of the Common Room in Newcastle to an audience of clients. The topics focussed on key elements of the new NPPF such as the implications of the new Standard Method housing figures for North East authorities and opportunities arising from changes to guidance on Green Belt and the introduction of grey belt. The potential for regional planning and the role of regional Mayors in the planning system was also highlighted. Walker Morris provided their thoughts and insights on the new NPPF from a legal perspective.

Opportunity knocks: navigating the steps to ‘not inappropriate’ grey belt development Lichfields has prepared a flowchart of the two test process towards establishing that a development proposed by application, on a Green Belt site, is not inappropriate, by virtue of being grey belt. While the flowchart can be viewed in isolation to gain a general overview of the policy tests, Jennie Baker, Edward Clarke & Steven Butterworth's blog expands those tests, and the assessment steps within them, in terms of how they apply to decision-taking, rather than plan-making. Full blog: https://lnkd.in/drA9-E7F Simon Coop, Michael Hepburn, Anna Turton, Tracy Blake, Mark Kilgallon & Daniel Orford

Planning permission granted for Buckinghamshire luxury hotel Planning permission and listed building consent have been granted for the transformation of the former Penn School in the village of Penn in Buckinghamshire into ‘Rayners Penn’, a luxury boutique hotel and spa. The multi-million-pound development will breathe new life into the historic estate, creating approximately 150 jobs, including apprenticeship opportunities, and support Buckinghamshire’s growing tourism sector. [Link to full story in comments]

Jonathan Standen's latest blog discusses the independent review, Government plans, staged approach and framework for construction of the New Hospital Programme. [link in comments]

At Lichfields, we don’t just provide pre-eminent planning and development advice—we also help our clients through exceptional graphic design.   From consultation boards and digital platforms to design and access statements, vision documents, infographics, site hoardings, and brand identities for schemes, our experienced and talented design team delivers high quality outputs.   We’re proud to unveil our 2025 Graphic Design Portfolio, showcasing our expertise in creating impactful outputs that bring projects to life.   If you’re seeking consultation or graphic design support, please reach out to Grant Swan or Tracy Blake

New planning application fees from 1 April 2025 is the latest blog from Jennie Baker and Seán Farrissey [Link in comments]. Following the Governments July 2024 consultation on planning fees, draft amendments to the Planning Fee Regulations have been published. If approved by Parliament, the new fees will come into force on 1 April 2025. In addition, the annual increase to planning fees will commence on the same day. This year the fee increase will be 1.7%, which will apply to the fees in the current Regulations.