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 …

We saw an interesting end to 2022 with two projects consented at committee, two new solar assignments, and some staff changes. Planning committees for 262 homes at Heybridge North Garden Suburb for Bellway and 68 homes at Codicote for Taylor Wimpey were both approved early in the month. We were …

The first part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is to do with devolution, although the media seems to have avoided the topic as it is complex and not that controversial. The Government is wanting to devolve powers and budgets to the regions, to push power closer to the …

We hosted a seminar at Harlow College, on behalf of Willmott Dixon, in November. It looked at the connections between public procurement, planning gain, social value, and skills and training. Speakers included The Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, minister for skills and apprenticeships, Ruth Gilbert, head of employability and skills …