ET Planning’s Post

Update on planning application fees amongst the NPPF announcements: - "government intends to bring forward regulations to implement the increase of householder application fees at the earliest opportunity" - "charge for prior approvals notifications will also be increased at a similar rate" - "increase fees for applications to discharge conditions" - "introduce a new banded fee structure for S73 applications to reflect different development types" - Planning & Infrastructure Bill will "introduce a power for LPAs to be able to set their own fees"... "they will have to consult and publish their schedule of fees" - "government will continue to investigate ways to better resource other areas of planning" https://lnkd.in/eFrhjaVv

Here we go then. The LA funding section is interesting.

Yesterday we saw the launch of a consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system. Have a look and have your say! #Planning

NPPF Reform - Consultation DEADLINE TODAY! It has been a real privilege to connect, listen and discuss everything Planning Reform related over the last 8 weeks with Clients, Colleagues and Friends.   Points that have really stuck with me from these interactions are: 💪 - Bring it on! Industry readiness to address the Housing Crisis and drive Growth is palpable. 🏙 - The new Standard Method delivers a redistribution and increase in housing need across the Country and is a good starting point for increasing delivery (but it is not a silver bullet). Increasing Local Plan Coverage and incentivising quick adoption of Local Plans by LPAs is crucial for boosting housing delivery. 🌲 - The Technicoloured Green Belt (stolen from the amazing webinar hosted by Pinsent Masons & Landmark Chambers - which I highly recommend to all) - We need more clarity on the Green Belt, PDL, Grey Belt and how we are going to assess the most sustainable locations to release land. 💹 - BLV vs EUV in assessing viability in the Green Belt is going to be highly contested and there is a concern that this will create confusion and may disenfranchise those with land in the green belt to release land. 🏭 - Economic Planning is yet again the bridesmaid to Housing Policy, but steps towards realising the importance of mixed communities in delivering truly Sustainable Growth, are appreciated. Is this a missed opportunity to also include Green Economies and Green Jobs alongside the Growth Industries identified? 🏛 - Advocating for an Effective and Efficient Planning System, the call for consistency in service, decision-making, and fees echoes across the industry. While planning fees may need adjusting, they should be matched by enhanced resourcing, training, and remuneration for planning professionals. The clock is ticking! Don't miss the deadline – share your responses before the day ends.

For some key takeaways on MHCLG's hot of the press CPO reform consultation, check out our colleague Matthew Tucker's post below.

Late-breaking CPO news before the Christmas holidays - the Government has just published a consultation on CPO reform closing on 13 February 2025. Some immediate takeaways for colleagues in the built environment sector: i)  They are looking to expand the scope of CPOs which can apply to disapply “hope value” (as per the LURA). ii) They are looking at issuing general directions identifying categories of development where “hope value” is automatically disapplied. iii) A new expedited vesting process could be introduced where an authority can vest after 6 weeks in specific circumstances (i.e. where no response is received to prior notices or land is not “legally occupiable”). iv) Procedural changes to serving notices; you would now be able to serve notices electronically if consent is given. v) They will formally simplify the description of land published in newspaper notices (to prevent extremely long newspaper ads!). vi) Additional categories of decision (including “hope value” decisions) may be taken by Inspectors. We expect to see further and additional CPO reforms as part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, details of which are expected early 2025. #builtenvironment #CPO #planning

📣 NPPF and wider planning policy change consultation closes 2 weeks today 📣 ICYMI over the summer break, you now have just 2 weeks to submit your responses to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Consultation on #planning reform. There is a lot to commend in the proposals - personally I welcome a return to strategic planning, a focus on building more affordable and social housing, and the return of #sustainability, #netzero and the #SDGs to the political narrative. But there have also been plenty of challenging discussions on here about the standard methodology for assessing housing need, for example. For those looking for references to #digital planning and #data standards. There is also a nod to this, although slightly tucked away (see references at the end of this post)... If we can get data standards and the use of digital technology right, it will absolutely enable improvements to the process and outcomes, so it *must* be central to policy reform. Whatever your opinion, make sure you voice it by replying to the consultation.... using the digital platform of course, to make the review of responses much quicker! https://lnkd.in/eKGGGRfm #ifyoualwaysdowhatyouvealwaysdone Consultation references: Chapter 3 – Planning for the Homes we need In relation to strategic plans: 26. “…The Government will work with local leaders and the wider sector to consult on, develop and test these arrangements in the months ahead before legislation is introduced, including consideration of the capacity and capabilities needed such as geospatial data and digital tools.” Chapter 12 – The future of planning policy and plan making 13. “National policy, like plans, needs to be accessible and user friendly. The creation of National Development Management Policies, the Act’s digital reforms, supporting work to embed common data standards and the use of digital platforms all bring opportunities to improve the way that national policies are presented and used….” 14. “We therefore intend to explore the creation of a more accessible and interactive, web-based set of national policies…”

Great discussion today as a panel member on the CPA Talking Heads, exploring the proposed reforms in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. While supporting the need to accelerate development delivery, it seems any increase in the speed of compulsory purchase powers (CPOs) will be marginal at best. Speeding up CPOs alone isn’t a silver bullet— factors like the planning process, resource constraints, and supply chain challenges all play a significant role. And of course, the debate around removing hope value remains highly contentious. Should private landowners really be subsidising the cost of public schemes? #Planning #Infrastructure #CompulsoryPurchase #Development CPT Events

Consultation is still open for comments on the proposed reforms to the NPPF, which runs until 24th Sept 2024.   The proposed changes include the introduction of the concept of the “Grey Belt”, which will see the relaxation of Green Belt policies on areas of Previously Developed Land (PDL) and/or land that makes a “limited contribution” to the Green Belt, along with ‘urban fringe’ or ‘edge of settlement’ sites. In addition, it is also suggested that ‘exceptional circumstances’ for Green Belt release can be justified in cases where Local Planning Authorities are falling short of their land supply or housing delivery targets.   The changes also propose to reverse the reduced 5-year housing land supply requirements introduced in December 2023, meaning that all Local Planning Authorities will need to achieve a full 5-year supply. In many cases, the new standard method for calculating housing need will see significant increases for housing requirements in certain areas of the country and a stronger emphasis on the provision of affordable housing.    If you have a site or a current development proposal that could be impacted by these proposed changes, or if you would like to discuss submitting a response to the consultation, please contact one of the team. #planningconsultation #planning #propertydevelopment #greybelt

#LPMStudents the Government has launched a #Consultation on Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms today which will close on 13th February 2025 #CPO #LandAndPropertyManagement #Farmers #Land #Planning #BuiltEnvironment #Utilities #TogetherWeWillMakeTheDifference