Urbanissta’s Post

Welsh Government has today released the updated version of Planning Policy Wales with immediate effect.  The main difference from Edition 11, is the integration of the replacement Chapter 6 (released separately in October 2023) covering green infrastructure and ecosystem resilience, DECCA, the step-wise approach, and the need for Green Infrastructure Statements. The Urbanists are leading development teams in the preparation of Green Infrastructure Statements and are ideally placed to advise clients on the best approach, as planning consultants and landscape architects. https://lnkd.in/eKC5-kEC

Many businesses, schools, and other buildings have accessibility requirements. Check out our blog, "Ensuring ADA Compliance in Your Commercial Space" to learn more. https://buff.ly/3UJClXz #ADA #ADACompliance #Ramps #BusinessOwner #CommercialRamp #AluminumRamp #EZACCESS #CodeCompliant #Accessibility

For today’s #appealtips we’ll be looking at the Statement of Case. This is a detailed document that includes all arguments, documents and supporting evidence for an appeal, put forward by both the appellant and a Local Planning Authority (LPA).   Check out these tips on making your Statement of Case as clear as possible. For more detailed information, see our guidance on GOV.UK - Procedural Guide: https://lnkd.in/e5VhBF-t #planningappeal #urbanplanning #localplanningauthority

The transport secretary is to review the “transport infrastructure portfolio”. Good. This is a chance to learn from the approach taken in Wales to road spending and provide a holistic framework for how transport investment decisions are made in the future. This review should be conducted with the support of an independent panel and ensure all investment is aligned with meeting the UK’s climate commitments and providing more people the opportunity to get on in life by tackling transport related social exclusion. Labour won a mandate to do what’s needed to fix public services. The government won’t get transport working better for more people without investment in greener transport - walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport. They must make sure every £ is going to the right place to deliver meaningful improvements in people’s ability to get around sustainably and safely. https://lnkd.in/eyK4vx_X #transport #publicpolicy #publictransport

The Ministry for Housing and Local Government has released a survey focused on national planning legislation, policy, and guidance, for decisions involving demolishing, redeveloping or retrofitting existing buildings. Fill it out and let's send the message that all our existing buildings have value. We need a change to VAT, and better legislation that supports a circular economy in the built environment. https://lnkd.in/efXb6whe

𝐏𝐏𝐍03/24 - 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 From today, contracting authorities must (if not already doing so) must use the updated selection questionaire set out in the PPN. This does *not* apply to Welsh public bodies (unless you exercise wholly or mainly reserved functions) who should continue to follow Welsh Government guidance. https://lnkd.in/e6DEnzZj #PublicProcurement #Procurement

❗️IMPORTANT NOTICE RE-ENFORCEMENT TIME PERIODS❗️ The Government has now brought in a number of changes to planning enforcement practice, that were first passed into law in November 2023 under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA). This Act allowed the Government to make certain changes but required the Secretary of State to pass secondary legislation to bring these changes into force. They include phasing out the '4 year rule' for changes of use to self-contained residential (Use Class C3) and new building works that do not benefit from express planning permission. If you are a developer or investor who has changed the use of a building to a house or flats or undertaken building works without planning permission in either case, then you can apply to confirm that these changes are now lawful if they were done more than 4 years ago. However, when this law comes into force, you may need to prove 10 years continuous use or that the works were done at least 10 years ago. You could therefore find yourself vulnerable to planning enforcement action for a longer period of time. Care should also be taken in the prospect of such action being taken against you if you acquire property that is not yet lawful. The law comes into force from the 25th April 2024. It is not necessary to have obtained a lawful development certificate by this date in respect of the change of use or building works. However, if still seeking to rely on the 4 years rule after this date when seeking a lawful development certificate, you will need to establish either 4 years continuous use and occupation or that building works were 'substantially completed' at least 4 years before and that in either case the use started or building works were completed no later than 24th April 2024. Therefore, if your building was extended or built or its use changed after 24th April 2024, you will be subject to the need for 10 years' proof and, if detected by the local planning authority, there is a risk of either enforcement action against you or the need to apply for retrospective planning permission. These changes apply only to England, as the 4-year rule is retained in Wales.

New #NPPF and #WMS - Standard method revised with caps removed and affordability ratio added, meaning increases in housing 'targets', especially in unaffordable areas. But those at advanced stage of plan-making (reg19+) may continue if plan doesn't show a significant gap between it and new figure (equal to less than 200 homes pa). #planning #localplan

What happens after a public inquiry is as important as what occurs during the hearings. This update does not show dramatic progress on the last one and although published in February contains phrases about some things being complete December 2023. Having said this there is clearly a huge amount of work that has been completed and is in progress. This work is obviously the product of the efforts of dedicated individuals. It was concerning to note the recommendations of the IICSA remain outstanding-including mandatory reporting. #publicinquiry #grenfell #iisca Institute of Civil Protection & Emergency Management (ICPEM) Emergency Planning Society The EPS @martinken

ICYMI - Take a deep dive into Verite's Quality of Life Survey. Housing and public safety top the priority issues of concern. #PutHousingFirst https://lnkd.in/gjtcihK4