By Ruby Burdett, Consultant  St Albans Council is in the process of withdrawing 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 …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property Essex County Council (ECC) ran its first developer engagement event in November. Chaired by Cllr Tony Ball, cabinet member for economic development, the topic for discussion was skills and training. There were …

Ashford –The Ashford Local Plan 2030 was adopted in February 2019. Aylesbury Vale – The council is producing responses to the issues raised in the main modifications consultation which took place late last year. The second batch of information was …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Ashford –The Ashford Local Plan 2030 was adopted in February 2019.   Aylesbury Vale – Following completion of the examination hearings and the publication of the Inspector’s Interim Findings the Council has worked with the Inspector to agree the modifications to the plan …

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 …