Planning applications are on the up, but two significant hurdles are delaying new homes… Recent figures from TerraQuest’s Planning Portal reveal that planning applications for new homes jumped by nearly a third between April and June 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. In total, 69,597 new homes were applied for in Q2, up…
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Recent appeal decisions show that ‘Grey Belt’ continues to be subject to interpretation… As we have previously reported, the latest updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) include significant changes to Green Belt policy, particularly regarding the definition and assessment of ‘Grey Belt’ land. These changes aim to streamline the planning process for development…
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The new AI assistant – Extract – enables old files, maps and notes to be transformed into accurate digital data in seconds… The rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a contentious subject, depending upon what industry you work within. While it may be entertaining social media users, who have enjoyed turning themselves into boxed action…
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New working paper suggests small sites will be exempt from the requirement for 10% biodiversity net gain… The subject of biodiversity net gain (BNG) has been a bone of contention for smaller developers since the start, but a ray of hope has been offered by the government. As we have said previously, the requirement to…
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New guidance for design process puts the importance of health and wellbeing at the top of the agenda for planning… Apex Planning Consultant’s Paul Smith recently attended a seminar on health, wellbeing and planning organised by the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) South East region. It took place on 7 May 2025 at the Milton…
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement may not have brought much joy to retailers and small businesses, with an increase in wages and National Insurance payments on the cards, but in the world of planning it looks like she may have offered a little hope. It all comes down to the suggestion that the money injected…
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We take a look at a recent white paper that delves into the question of where land for the government’s promised 1.5m new homes will be found… The Labour Government has made it clear that it intends to build 1.5 million new homes over its term in parliament. Yes, the UK has a shortage of…
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The government is pushing for the growth corridor to be ready by 2035, with a number of changes just announced… The Oxford-Cambridge arc has come into the spotlight, following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ promise that she is going ‘further and faster’ in a bid to get the economy moving. Reeves unveiled plans to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge…
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Can new home developers keep up with demands for technological, environmental and sustainable improvements from house buyers, while also making them affordable – and making a profit for themselves? Our latest article explores… More than just a house With the continued and rising demand for new homes – not least from the Labour Government –…
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Last week the government published the latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). We take a look at what this means for developers and local planning authorities… The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was revised on 12 December 2024. The Government stated that the revisions represented an ‘overhaul of the planning system to…
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