News
The Benefits of Marketing and Viability Studies in the Planning Arena
Proving viability when submitting a planning application can be key to getting to that all-important approval. Our latest blog explores the benefits of marketing and viability assessments within the context of planning applications… Marketing and carrying out a viability exercise are important parts of the preparation when submitting a planning application – especially when one…
Read MoreLegal Case throws Pre-application Confidentiality into Question
Seeking pre-application advice is common in planning, but a claim by a campaigner has shown that developers should not assume correspondence will be kept private… It’s not unusual – in fact it is par for the course – that developers seek informal advice from the local planning authority before submitting planning applications. This can save…
Read MoreFour Year Planning Enforcement Becomes Ten
A change in the length of time, from 4 to 10 years, that it takes for unauthorised developments to become lawful, could see an increase in enforcement action… New Rules could Catch-Out Unlawful Developments Historically, operational development (for example building an extension, or building a house and occupying it without planning permission) could take place…
Read MorePlanning for Health – How Did we Do?
A report 10 years ago stated that including green spaces in planning proposals could have a positive impact on public health…so what changes have been made? RIBA City Health Check No one has told the weather yet, but spring has officially arrived, and as the days get longer, and the sun – hopefully – comes…
Read MoreCould New Proposals give More New Homes the Green Light?
The government plans to further ease restriction of planning for office-to residential conversions and brownfield development… Deregulation of Permitted Development Changes to the national planning policy have been brought into effect by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, which will see more deregulation of the permitted development rules for…
Read MoreConcerns over Biodiversity Net Gain
As rules requiring provisions on major developments for environmental enhancement come into place (with requirements for minor developments due to come into force in April 2024), industry experts have expressed doubts over how achievable they really are… Biodiversity Net Gain Concerns Rules that require major housing developments to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain…
Read MoreSaving Energy in Older Properties
Adhering to modern regulations in historic buildings is not easy, but the government proposes to help boost energy efficiency for owners of older properties… Improving Energy Efficiency in Older Homes Living in a Listed property or Conservation Area may be a dream for many, but with the rising cost of energy bills, trying to keep…
Read MoreCash Injection to Speed up Planning and Housing Delivery
In his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a cash boost to clear planning backlogs and deliver new homes. It looks like good news for the UK planning sector… Cash Injection for Planning A recent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt would, he said ‘’lead to many thousands of additional…
Read MoreRaising the Public Image of Town Planners
A new RTPI campaign champions town planners and the positive impact they have on local communities – and it needs your help… Championing the Positive Role of Town Planners The planning industry does not always get the best press – the stories that make the headlines usually focus on negative aspects and often are based…
Read MorePlanning Wait Hits SME House Builders
With outline planning permission now taking around 12 months, the number of housing developments by small and medium-sized (SME) house builders is dropping at an alarming rate… SME House Builders A study that shows the waiting time for outline planning permission has almost quadrupled in the past 30 years, also reveals that small to medium-sized…
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