The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee had its first oral evidence hearing into the Government’s planning reforms on 16 March. A recent consultation took place that sought to tighten the regulations surrounding greenbelt land, re-evaluate the housing number targets and push for greater use of brownfield land. The …

We are now entering the ‘purdah’ stage of the upcoming election; a time when pre-election communication rules come into place to prevent local authorities from publishing information which could influence voters. After a turbulent summer and autumn last year, many are viewing this May’s elections as a stern test for …

  Welcome to our March newsletter, marking hopefully the start of spring. In this issue we look at: the new Housing Minister, Rachel Maclean, and peoples reactions to this; the Westminster debate on updating green belt regulation; the Conservative Councillors Association Local Government Conference and their special guests.  We have …

The provisions in the Levelling Up Bill and the NPPF consultation, which concluded last week, have led to many councils having second thoughts about their local plans. More than 13 councils have abandoned, paused or delayed work on their local plans and 2021 saw the lowest number of local plans …

In modern politics, there are few occasions for consensus. But tightening regulation around the development of green land – and more specifically prioritising the development of brownfield sites – has garnered nonpartisan approval. At a parliamentary debate held on February 9 MPs from across the political spectrum came together to …

Rachel Maclean has been confirmed as the new Housing Minister. This was due to Lucy Frazer being promoted during Rishi Sunaks department shake-up on February 7. Maclean becomes the sixth Housing Minister in 12 months. First elected in 2017 for the Redditch Constituency, Maclean is seen as a steady and …

On Friday 24 February, more than 170 Councillors, observers and sponsors gathered in Hinckley, Leicestershire for the Conservative Councillors Association. The numbers were less than hoped for, but this is likely to be due to a clash of events as the District Councils Network in St Albans coincided. The most …

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2023. Although probably now a distant memory, we trust you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year break.    In this issue we look at: the Levelling Up Bill, which is currently at its 2nd reading in the House of Lords; the NPPF consultation, which …