Amid a growing international trade crisis being caused by US President, Donald Trump, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, made a Spring Statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday 27th March, where housing and house building targets played a prominent part. She pointed to changes to the National …

A few years ago, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) published an article (https://www.rtpi.org.uk/research-rtpi/2020/september/planning-through-zoning/) regarding ‘Planning Through Zoning’. ‘Zoning’, common in other countries, such as in the USA and in Hong Kong, where regulatory zoning plans are used as the principle means to control development in some areas, would be …

On Tuesday 11th March, the First Reading of the UK Government’s much publicised Planning and Infrastructure Bill was published, followed with a debate on the floor of the House of Commons (the latest version of the Bill is here. This Bill aims to accelerate development and streamline the planning system …

We are all very aware of the financial barriers which are holding back first-time buyers for housing in the UK. Between rising house prices and stagnant salaries, it has become nearly impossible for most people to get on the property ladder. Despite this ongoing media driven national narrative, it was …

On 10 February, the Government approved 10 councils to be in its Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) including Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton and Hampshire and Solent. These areas will need to follow an ambitious devolution timetable, with MHCLG consultations already started. Councils have …

Chelgate Local helped obtained consent for two projects during February: a 480-home Redrow Eastern project west of Billericay in Essex was approved by Basildon Council, and a 45-home Bellway Thames Gateway project in Chipping Ongar, also in Essex, was approved by Epping Forest Council. London Road, Billericay Redrow Homes Eastern …

Following the publication of the Devolution White Paper in December, the Government sought indications in January from councils wishing to be considered for the first tranche of devolution and local government reoform. A total of 18 councils put their names forward and on 10 February Angela Rayner MP, the secretary …

The previous Conservative UK Government set about reform of the local planning process and the role of the Planning Inspectorate in the scrutiny of local plans. The current Labour Government has continued these reforms. On the 30th July, 2024, just after the General Election, Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State …