By Kasia Banaś, Account Director   Sevenoaks Council is not giving up on its  Local Plan. Following a firm rejection of a judicial review of the Planning Inspectorate’s decision on the local plan by the High Court, the authority has now lodged an application to appeal against the ruling.  The Planning Inspector, Karen Baker, published her damning final examination report back …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property The past year has been one many will understandably want to forget, but it will be remembered for a long time. Chelgate sent its staff to work from home on 10th March which, at the time, seemed a little drastic. The firm worked throughout the lock down although much of the industry did not.   Not content with just …

By Ruby Burdett, Consultant  St Albans Council has withdrawn its Local Plan for a second time. Unlike previously (2017), it decided not to judicially review the inspectors’ findings, and did not wait for the outcome of the Sevenoaks High Court challenge. The council still has the second-oldest Local Plan in the country (1994) and it now needs to start again – it will need to motor if it is to meet …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property Essex County Council (ECC) ran its first developer engagement event in November. This initiative has been instigated by Michael Hardware, in his role as ECC deputy cabinet member for economic development.  The concept is based on Chelgate Local’s successful live planning events which we ran during lockdown. The aim is to provide developers and their consultants with access to the senior …

By Kasia Banaś, Account Director  After months of uncertainty, the High Court has dealt a major blow to Sevenoaks. The local authority sought a Judicial Review of the Planning Inspectorate decision on the Local Plan – but this was firmly rejected today in the published decision.  The draft Sevenoaks Local Plan is now …

By Kasia Banaś, Account Director  Since the announcement of the ‘Planning for the Future’ white paper, several authorities have either halted work on their local plans or scrapped them altogether. In response, MHCLG’s Chief Planner, Joanna Averly said that local plans will be a key element of Government’s planning reform and councils “shouldn’t take their foot off the gas” in preparing them. She added that the proposed changes mean authorities …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property Essex County Council (ECC) has announced the first of a series of developer engagement events. A webinar discussing the industry’s role in skills and training will be held on Tuesday 10th November between 4.10pm and 5.15pm.  ECC would like to hear views and discuss how industry can help to shape and benefit from the skills agenda. The Essex economy has …

By Ruby Burdett, Consultant  The MHCLG’s proposal for a standard algorithm to calculate housing need has sparked much criticism. The former Prime Minister, Theresa May, seems to be spearheading the fight to urge the Government to re-think the reform. After voicing her concerns in a debate motioned by MP Bob Seely, it seems Theresa May has influenced a number of her fellow MPs not to toe the party line.     Analysis suggests the new algorithm will …