Catriona Riddell’s Post

🚧 Exciting Changes Ahead in England’s Planning Policy 🏗️ What an interesting time to be a Planning Lawyer! The Labour government's consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) marks a significant shift in the UK's approach to housing and development. Key proposals include: 1. Mandatory Housing Targets 📈 - Local targets are set to become compulsory, with a goal to deliver over 370,000 new homes annually. 2. Flexible Use of Green Belt and Brownfield Land🌳🏙️ - Prioritising brownfield sites while allowing strategic use of Green Belt land for affordable housing, ensuring infrastructure and green space improvements. 3. Enhanced Local Planning 🗺️ - All councils must have a Local Plan within a year, with more flexibility to tailor housing numbers to local needs. 4. Focus on Specific Housing Needs 🏡 - Supporting retirement housing, small sites, and community-led developments to diversify housing options. 5. Sustainability and Design Standards🔋✨ - Emphasis on energy efficiency and aesthetically pleasing designs. These changes aim to address the housing crisis by streamlining the planning process and encouraging sustainable development. It will be interesting to see how quickly these changes come to fruition, potentially a brand new NPPF before the end of a year… watch this space. #NPPF #UKPlanning #PlanningLaw #PlanningReform

The RIAI has called on Government to fulfil its commitment to deliver affordable housing and sustainable communities in Budget 2025. In its Pre-Budget Submission, the RIAI lays out eleven targeted actions that will enable the delivery of more affordable housing, introduce plan-led development of our towns and cities, and create more sustainable and climate-friendly communities across all of Ireland. Speaking at the launch of their Pre-Budget Submission, Sean Mahon, RIAI President said: “The actions identified in the Institutes Pre-Budget Submission have the potential to deliver huge impact in addressing our current housing and climate crises. Our Submission delivers eleven targeted actions that, if implemented, will deliver a high-quality built environment for Ireland, that is affordable, climate resilient, and well resourced. Architects have a unique knowledge and skillset when it comes to urban planning and the built environment. Government needs to harness this expertise for the public benefit, to ensure that Ireland’s infrastructure and public spaces best serve the people of Ireland. Ireland has the expertise needed to transform our society to best serve our citizens, by providing quality affordable homes, sustainable well-resourced communities, and a climate resilient public realm. RIAI’s submission lays out a clear set of actions that will drive this change. What we need now is government action and leadership to use Budget 2025 to harness this expertise and deliver on this potential.” To read the full RIAI Pre-Budget Submission please visit https://lnkd.in/dYx__k8C #prebudgetsubmission #keyrecommendations #affordablehousing #sustainablecommunities #irisharchitecturetogether

Key Updates from Angela Rayner / CLG statement yesterday here: Planning decisions are set to be fast-tracked in a sweeping overhaul of local planning committees, as part of new measures set out by the government to stimulate economic growth and tackle the housing crisis. As set out in the Plan for Change, the government is fully focused on unlocking economic growth across the country. Under new plans to modernise the planning approval process, applications that comply with local development plans could bypass planning committees entirely to tackle chronic uncertainty, unacceptable delays and unnecessary waste of time and resources.  The measures would see a national scheme of delegation introduced, the creation of streamlined committees for strategic development and mandatory training for planning committee members.  Under the new plans, local planning officers will also have an enhanced decision-making role to implement agreed planning policy.  The changes will mean greater certainty to housebuilders that good-quality schemes aligned with already-agreed local development plans will be approved in a timely manner to get spades in the ground.  Full update here:

Key Updates from Angela Rayner / CLG statement yesterday here: Planning decisions are set to be fast-tracked in a sweeping overhaul of local planning committees, as part of new measures set out by the government to stimulate economic growth and tackle the housing crisis. As set out in the Plan for Change, the government is fully focused on unlocking economic growth across the country. Under new plans to modernise the planning approval process, applications that comply with local development plans could bypass planning committees entirely to tackle chronic uncertainty, unacceptable delays and unnecessary waste of time and resources.  The measures would see a national scheme of delegation introduced, the creation of streamlined committees for strategic development and mandatory training for planning committee members.  Under the new plans, local planning officers will also have an enhanced decision-making role to implement agreed planning policy.  The changes will mean greater certainty to housebuilders that good-quality schemes aligned with already-agreed local development plans will be approved in a timely manner to get spades in the ground.  Full update here:

Key Updates from Angela Rayner / CLG statement yesterday here: Planning decisions are set to be fast-tracked in a sweeping overhaul of local planning committees, as part of new measures set out by the government to stimulate economic growth and tackle the housing crisis. As set out in the Plan for Change, the government is fully focused on unlocking economic growth across the country. Under new plans to modernise the planning approval process, applications that comply with local development plans could bypass planning committees entirely to tackle chronic uncertainty, unacceptable delays and unnecessary waste of time and resources.  The measures would see a national scheme of delegation introduced, the creation of streamlined committees for strategic development and mandatory training for planning committee members.  Under the new plans, local planning officers will also have an enhanced decision-making role to implement agreed planning policy.  The changes will mean greater certainty to housebuilders that good-quality schemes aligned with already-agreed local development plans will be approved in a timely manner to get spades in the ground.  Full update here:

📍 Its Local Plan Watch time !! 📍 Take a look at the latest insights here for your area 👉 https://lnkd.in/eg-s4jea For all of our Cambridgeshire clients and colleagues: - Cambridge remains in the headlights of Michael Gove and his aspirations for significant growth in Cambridge, with the "Case for Cambridge" published to set out their next steps, with the Cambridge Development Group. The two councils have asked for further detail on housing growth and have asked for local communities to be part of the conversation. - It is clear Cambridge can support more growth as long as housing and infrastructure is considered as part of that package. - The four main challenges facing Cambridge include housing affordability, water supply, transport and infrastructure delivery and the demand for office and lab space. - Cambridge Water have published their "revised revised draft Water Resource Management Plan" (rrdWRMP24), which sought to address the EA objections. #bidwells #localplanwatch #planning #cambridgeshire #opportunities

UK Housing Challenges: A Call for Collaboration The UK government has set an ambitious goal: 1.5 million homes before the end of this parliament. Yet, as highlighted in a recent article in Architects Journal, obstacles in our planning system threaten to undermine this promise. From 'planning by vibes' to councillors opposing developments on subjective grounds, it's clear that reforms are needed. Issues like: - Misaligned local decision-making - Resistance to new housing by 'NIMBY' advocates - A lack of transparency in planning consequences ...all of which are contributing to our housing crisis. What can be done? Mandatory training for planning committees, better delegation of decisions to qualified officers, and fairer evaluation of objections are just a few of the steps that could pave the way for progress. This isn't just about hitting targets—it's about creating homes and communities that address our nation's urgent needs. According to recent MHCLG figures, to meet the government's target will need an increase in annual production of around 60%, so it is clear there is much work to be done! At Marjoram Architects, we believe collaboration is key. Government, local councils, architects, developers, and communities must work together to reform planning processes, promote transparency, and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. Only then can we overcome these challenges and create sustainable, well-designed homes for future generations. 📖 Read more about this pressing issue and proposed solutions in the article: https://lnkd.in/ec4gY5NZ What are your thoughts on how we can balance the need for development with local concerns? Let us know in the comments! #MarjoramArchitects #HousingCrisis #UrbanPlanning #Collaboration #ArchitectureMatters

So, by now, unless you're enjoying a silent retreat or on a full digital detox, you've probably heard about the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). But are you struggling to make sense of it? You're not alone. But don't worry Zack Simons from Landmark Chambers has just penned an insightful blog that cuts through the noise. In his article, Zack brilliantly explains the recent changes to the NPPF in practical terms. Whether you're a seasoned planner or just trying to keep up with the latest developments, this blog is a must-read. https://lnkd.in/eBf5GaKd #PlanningReform #NPPF #LandmarkChambers #UrbanPlanning #Development

🚨 NW Local Plan Update - CHESHIRE EAST 🚨 Cheshire East Council has published an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) ahead of the Environment and Communities Committee meeting next Thursday. Key points: - The timetable in the LDS should be “treated with caution” due to uncertainties around the government’s continued roll-out of planning reform and in advance of full guidance and legislation on new-style local plans (expected in summer 2025). - CEC would have preferred not to have published an LDS until later in the year once there is more certainty on the above, but an LDS has been published now to meet the government’s deadline of 6 March 2025. A further updated LDS is likely to follow later in 2025. - A further call for sites exercise and the publication of spatial options that could meet the Council’s development requirements will be required, and are expected to take place toward the end of 2025 or early 2026. - The timeline for the new Local Plan indicates Publication in Q1 2027, Submission in Q3 2027 and and adoption in Q3 2028. In the meantime, CEC accept that they can no longer demonstrate a 5YHLS on the basis of the revised local housing need figure. Get in touch if helpful to discuss... #planning #localplans #cheshireeast

In the updated National Planning Policy Framework issued on 30 July, Angela Rayner will reintroduce mandatory housing targets with a view of achieving a yearly housing goal of 370,000 new homes. https://lnkd.in/evRGA_rh The housebuilding industry was correct in quickly expressing support for the government’s reforms. The Home Builders Federation and more than 30 housebuilders confirmed they were ready to deliver high quality and affordable homes in line with the governments emerging targets. https://lnkd.in/eD2vNX2n However, to deliver this eye watering number of new homes, the government is expecting other stakeholders to contribute. These include the Directedly elected mayors in England, Devolved administrations, Housing Associations and, interestingly, Councils. These public sector and quasi-public sectors authorities should ensure delivery of affordable housing – particularly much needed affordable rented homes. One sector which will play a key role in delivering these new homes will be SME housebuilders and developers. They play a key role in building houses in smaller or more-challenging sites. In the 1980s, SME housebuilders delivered 39% of all homes built in England. #Housing #Affordable housing #Housing Development #Regeneration