by Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property  The council has received further bad news – not only has the Sevenoaks Council failed in its duty to cooperate, the inspector also has serious concerns over the overall soundness of the local plan. Is the plan dead? The inspector, Karen Baker, submitted …

By Kasia Banas, Account Director   With the budget focused on the response to the Coronavirus crisis, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak did not have much space left for housing announcements, something the industry has got used to over the years. The key pledges consist of a £12bn extension of the Affordable Homes …

The head of housing for think tank Policy Exchange, Jack Airey, has been appointed to a new position in No.10. Airey has taken on the role as Prime Minister Johnson’s housing and planning special advisor. At Policy Exchange, Airey’s work on improving housebuilding standards has attracted cross-party approval and is …

This month: Do we see a shift?, What could the conservative victory mean for housing?, Are councillors at risk of losing their decision-making powers from planning?, The importance of community engagement in planning and Government Cabinet Reshuffle 2020.    Do we see a shift? Three local plans have failed, and …

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered his much-anticipated post-Brexit Government reshuffle. It saw the departure of many prominent ministers, some expected whilst others were perhaps a little surprising and one was very unexpected. The reshuffle sent a clear message overall that Johnson will only enter post-Brexit negotiations with ministers …

By Alia Khan, Consultant  The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) held their annual Nathaniel Litchfield Lecture and focused it on participation in planning 50 years after the Skeffington report. The lecture was delivered by Professor Gavin Parker, member of the RTPI and Professor of Planning Studies at the University of …

By Ruby Burdett, Consultant The report put forward last week by the free market think tank ‘Policy Exchange’ was anything but tedious. Titled ‘Rethinking the Planning System for the 21st Century’ the report cannot be accused of lacking imagination, but based on its revolutionary character, the likelihood of it being …

By Alia Khan, Consultant  In the December 2019 General Election, the Conservatives enjoyed a landslide victory, winning 365 seats with a majority of 79. Following his election victory, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to “work round the clock to repay your trust and to deliver on your priorities”. Could this …