There are two councils in the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) in the North Thames region: Greater Essex and Norfolk and Suffolk. Both have submitted their approaches to local government reorganisation to MHCLG, and both are to submit detailed proposals by September. All the other top-tier councils in the region which …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Property & Planning, Chelgate Local I attended the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum conference in Leeds between 20 and 23 May. Unlike last year, the sun shone, and all was well in the world. New management This year’s event, which was organised under …

The biggest shake-up of local government is well underway, with a distribution of power from central government in the form of new Mayoral Strategic Authorities; and a shake-up of local government via the creation of new Unitary Authorities. When people think of devolution they often think about the devolved governments …

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 …

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 …