We are absolutely delighted to have secured planning approval for the demolition of an existing dwelling and its replacement with 5x 3, 4 and 5 bed detached homes and associated amenity space, including a community orchard. This project will regenerate an unsightly and dilapidated plot and bring much-needed family homes to the area.  

Developments in open countryside

On the face of it, a challenging project.  The site is situated outside the settlement boundary, in open countryside, in the Cotswolds National Landscape (AONB), in close proximity to several Grade II Listed buildings and in a Conservation Area.  But as the Council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply (2.78 year supply as of April 2024), the ‘tilted balance’ is engaged. This means that planning permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. 

Weighing up the planning balance on a challenging development plot

Given the sensitivities on site, our team engaged in a dialogue with the Council about the site and proposals early on with a pre-application meeting.  This fed into the final design and the associated planning application where we and the wider project team successfully highlighted the nuances of the project and the wider benefits it would bring.  

These included:  

Housing need: The proposal would provide a net increase of 4 dwellings which would contribute positively towards the council’s housing supply deficit and respond to an identified need for this type of housing.  

Economic benefits: There would be a short-term benefit to the rural economy during the construction period. 

Landscape impact: The Council agreed that the proposals would greatly improve the visual impact of the site within the National Landscape areas and that the scheme’s sensitive design responded well to the wider context of the site, both current and historic.   

Open countryside: Whilst local policy strictly controls development in this type of location, as the scheme sought to demolish an existing dwelling, a precedent for housing had been established.  Furthermore, the site had been allocated for new housing in the local plan.  

Outside the development boundary: The site sits on the edge of a village settlement and despite its technically ‘rural’ location, it benefits from proximity to a good bus service and is within safe walking distance of local amenities.  

Effective use of land: Not only do the proposals present an effective use of brownfield land, but given the sensitive nature of the site, a lower housing density was proposed to allow for its proximity to listed buildings and existing boundary treatments, including several established trees.   

Green Infrastructure: The lower housing density on site meant that the proposals were able to far exceed the 20% requirement for the provision of Green Infrastructure, which includes a large orchard.  

Conservation area:  The proposal involves the replacement of the existing dwelling on the site with a development of five detached ‘estate’ type cottages, designed to emulate the character of the surrounding area. The Conservation Officer agreed that the design was well-conceived and that the introduction of the orchard would help to restore the historic appearance of agricultural land across the area.  

Residential amenity: It was felt that the proposals would have minimal impact on residential amenity and would not result in issues of highway safety. 

Archaeology: The site has the potential to be archaeologically sensitive.  Given the scale of the development and the anticipated archaeological potential, we successfully established that any archaeological concerns could be successfully mitigated via condition and with an appropriate action plan in place.   

Making the case for new homes in a sustainable location

The council agreed that the benefits of allowing the proposed development would outweigh the harm that may otherwise be caused by allowing residential development in the open countryside. We are so pleased that this site can now realise its full potential, replacing a dilapidated building with 5x beautiful family homes and an orchard, improving the views across the AONB and bringing much-needed housing to the area.  

How our planning consultants can help your development project

This project is a prime example of the crucial role planning consultants play in giving a development proposal its best chance of success.  Application decisions are all a matter of planning balance – balancing the harm against the benefits with reference to adopted policy. Our role is to tease out the benefits of your proposal, ensure the necessary technical supporting reports and plans are provided and to present the proposal holistically to the LPA, setting out why it should be granted permission in the round. We work hard to establish contact with planning officers and build relationships, rather than taking an adversarial approach, which can often do more harm than good. 

About us

We are McLoughlin Planning and our team have a simple objective: to get results for our clients by providing high quality planning consultancy. 

Our reputation for integrity, innovation and intelligence means we are a growing business, thriving on personal recommendations from our loyal clients and trusted industry colleagues. Our team of chartered town planning consultants deal with a host of interesting planning projects from across southern England and Wales – from strategic promotions and commercial premises to private developments and rural projects. 

We are a friendly and approachable team who care passionately about the built environment, always striving to get the best outcome for our clients and the community 

Contact us to see how we can best assist you with your development aspirations.   

Key contact for this project

Chris Fleming – Director  

E:  chris.fleming@mplanning.co.uk 

T: 01242895008 

Project team  

• Portus and Whitton (Landscape Architects)  
• Tyack Architects Ltd (Architects)  
• Rappor (Drainage) 
• EDP (Heritage, Arboriculture, Ecology and Archaeology)  

Image source: Tyack Architects (2024)  

A significant landmark for the emerging South Warwickshire Local Plan is about to be reached, and this has major implications for all of those with an interest in plan-making and seeking site allocations. The new Local Plan is being prepared to cover Stratford on Avon and Warwick Districts. 
 
Please take the time to have a look at this article and the links provided to the Committee Papers and the substantial technical evidence base which supports the Plan. 2025 was already going to be a critical year for planning and we are advising several parties on Plans like this.

The forthcoming Joint Cabinet Committee papers have now been released before the 12 December Committee date and this article seeks to look at some of the critical issues. 

Why is the Preferred Option so important? 

These papers are highly significant as they give us the first opportunity to understand what the SWLP is proposing. Officers are seeking member authorisation to move forward with the next stage of consultation on the document’s Preferred Option version in the new year. 

We have an established track record of promoting development sites of all sizes through the local plan system, and events like this are important landmarks for the development industry. We can use our skills and expertise to make the most of the opportunity consultations to secure a site allocation for development. 

The Housing Target 

The Plan does not use the current standard method calculation; instead, it uses the Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) outcomes, commissioned in early 2024. This sets out the following targets: 

• Stratford on Avon DC – 868 d/pa
• Warwick DC – 811 d/pa

This equates to 41,975 homes over a 25-year plan period. 

The impending revisions to the NPPF have influenced the SWLP. The Preferred Option has been built with flexibility to accommodate a higher Proposed Standard Method Figure. 

Green Belt 

Historically, Stratford on Avon DC has been against green belt release, whereas the current Warwick Local Plan has released sites from the green belt for development. Given the number of houses being proposed in the two districts and the need for a sustainable development strategy, this has led to a number of greenfield green belt sites being released for development. Supporting the SWLP is an extensive evidence base, including a Green Belt review. 

Development Strategy 

The Preferred Option does not provide the granular details of a settlement hierarchy or details of which settlements will have a settlement boundary. This will be left for future work informing the evolution of the Reg 19 Version, to be consulted on in December 2025. 

That said, the document does identify 24 Strategic Growth locations across the Plan area, including green belt and non-green belt locations. Crucially, it is expected that only some of the locations will be allocated for development because the amount of land in these areas exceeds the housing and employment requirements for the SWLP. 

Draft Policy Direction 3 clearly states that the SWLP will review the settlement hierarchy. It will also examine thresholds for determining settlement boundaries and provide an interesting policy tool for setting a threshold for small-scale housing development at locations adjacent to those proposed settlement boundaries. 

Timetable 

As we advance, the proposed timetable is as follows: 

• January 2025 – Regulation 18 Preferred Option consultation; 
• December 2025 – Regulation 19 Consultation; 
• September 2026 – Submission of the Plan for Examination; 
• October 2026 to March 2027 – Examination; 
• June 2027 – Proposed Modifications; 
• December 2027 – Adoption. 

Concluding Thoughts 

The Preferred Option sets out several interesting points about levels development levels and directions for growth. Encouragingly, greenfield and green belt development are clearly on the agenda, which is welcomed and represents a clear recognition by the Councils that such development is critical to meet its housing and employment needs. In the future, the forthcoming Preferred Options consultation provides an essential first opportunity to promote your interests and help shape and inform emerging SWLP policy. 2025 was already going to be a critical year for planning and we are advising several parties on Plans like this. 
 
The SWLP covers a large area and governs development at both ends of the spectrum. If you want to understand more about what this means for you and what your interests are, please get in touch. 

Key contact for this project

Nathan McLoughlin – Managing Director  

E:  nathan.mcloughlin@mplanning.co.uk  

T: 01242 895128 

Resources

SWLP Evidence Homepage

Joint Committee Papers

We are delighted to confirm that McLoughlin Planning was instrumental in obtaining planning permission for the change of use of a Bed & Breakfast (Use Class C1) into a new dwelling (Use Class C3).    

Securing a residential use in a town centre location

The proposed change of use raised a number of key planning considerations which had to be carefully navigated, as the 18th century property is situated in a Conservation Area and within the Cotswold National Landscape.   

But the main planning issue was related to the Principle of Development, given the property’s location in Stow’s defined town centre. This area is zoned for commercial uses, meaning new residential development is not usually supported. Despite this constraint, McLoughlin Planning was able to persuade Cotswold District Council that in this case, a residential use in the town centre was appropriate.  

Our pragmatic approach, nuanced analysis of policy and site context, and the presentation of a strong fall-back position secured the planning approval for this change of use and the further evolution of this historic building, which will now become a family home.  

Moving towards a mixed-use High Street?

Councils tend to have policies prohibiting new dwellings in town centre locations, mainly to ensure the ‘vitality and viability’ of the High Street is maintained. However, applications like this demonstrate it is possible to obtain permission for a dwelling in commercial centres. As our High Streets evolve, there is increasing recognition that the introduction of modest amounts of residential uses within town centres can contribute to, rather than diminish, the activity in town centres.  

How we can help

Do you own or are you interested in purchasing commercial property in a town centre with a view to changing its use to residential? If so, then please contact us through either our “Arrange a Call” tab on our contact page or via the email and telephone number provided below. 

Joe Seymour – Associate Director 

E: joe.seymour@mplanning.co.uk 

T: 01242895008 

Image source: Knight Frank Estate Agency

We are delighted that following our involvement, planning permission has been secured for a garage conversion to enlarge the habitable living space of a mews house in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), despite a historic refusal on site for a similar scheme. The result of our recent planning approval will be the creation of a more spacious family home in a central and sustainable location, whilst also future proofing the building through important renovation works.

When a second opinion counts in planning

Our team was initially approached to assist following a planning refusal by RBKC for a similar scheme.  The key concerns raised by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) related to:

• The impact of the proposed design on the conservation area;
• Loss of car parking through the garage conversion and the subsequent additional on-street parking pressures.

As the property was centrally located in London, existing data advised us that surrounding streets were already heavily subscribed with parking permits and therefore could not afford the additional pressures. Furthermore, whilst garage conversions can, in some instances, be undertaken without the need for planning permission, a historic planning condition on the Mews property prevented the occupiers from benefiting from this opportunity.

Following a detailed review of the project, the previous refusal, the site’s context, and the relevant policies in the new Local Plan, we felt that there would be merit in revisiting the scheme and prepared a planning strategy for moving the project forward.

Turning a planning refusal into an approval – collaboration is key

Given the sensitive nature of the site, we worked closely with the team at Haine & Co Architects, to ensure that the revised design responded to the concerns raised in the previous planning refusal. The updated design sought to create a development which would be architecturally sympathetic to the age and character of the host building- reinforcing the original integrity of the site and its environs which was praised in the Officer’s Report.  Furthermore, the additional space at the property would allow for a more comfortable living space and would make best use of the existing footprint.

Regarding the parking issues, we prepared and presented a case to the LPA that a Section 106 legal agreement could be used to make the development “car-free”, given the site’s highly sustainable location. This would assuage concerns over additional pressures to on-street parking in the vicinity.

Following submission of the application, we liaised regularly with the case officer, ensuring they had everything they needed to make a timely determination. Upon completion of the legal agreement, the Council acknowledged that the previous reasons for refusal had been overcome and that Planning Permission could now be granted.

The importance of a strategic planning approach  

The above case is a useful reminder that a planning refusal does not necessarily mean that your development aspirations must come to a halt. Indeed, a refusal can help your proposals evolve, especially when combined with a strategic planning approach.

If you have recently had a planning refusal and would like a member of our team to review your case and explore whether there is a way forward to secure planning approval for your project, then please contact us through either our “Arrange a Call” tab on our contact page or via the email and telephone number provided below:

Chris Moore – Director

T: 01242895008

E: chris.moore@mplanning.co.uk

McLoughlin Planning has successfully obtained planning permission to demolish an existing dwelling and construct a larger replacement dwelling in the Tewkesbury Borough.  The site’s location within the Cotswolds National Landscape (formerly the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and particularly the Gloucester-Cheltenham Green Belt presented significant challenges to achieving the client brief. In partnership with Coombes Everitt Architects and Willder Ecology –we secured the demolition of a dilapidated dwelling dating from the 1920s, and the construction of a larger contemporary replacement dwelling.

Defining the term ‘materially larger’ in the Green Belt?  A holistic comparison can be key

Councils often provide inconsistent guidance or, more challenging still, no guidance at all in terms of the size of a replacement building one is allowed to construct in the Green Belt. The key planning policy test for this application was that the new dwelling could not be “materially larger” than the existing dwelling, which inevitably raised the question: what is meant by this subjective term?

McLoughlin Planning successfully negotiated with the case officer to agree that the proposed dwelling was not materially larger, thus allowing planning permission to be granted. One of the key lessons learnt from this project is that it is not simply a question of comparing the existing and proposed floor areas. The Council will also take into consideration the differences in height, footprint, and volume, in addition to floor area, when deciding whether a replacement building is “materially larger”. Providing a holistic comparison can be the difference between approval and refusal.

I own a property in the Green Belt – how can I obtain planning permission for my project?

We are absolutely delighted with the positive outcome on this project, which will turn an almost unusable dwelling into a well-designed home.  The team at McLoughlin Planning are very experienced in the nuances surrounding these types of development projects and navigating the complexities of challenging land designations.   If you have a project that might benefit from our expertise, then get in contact with one of our planning consultants to find out how we can best assist you.

Joe Seymour – Associate Director

E: joe.seymour@mplanning.co.uk

T: 01242895008

Image source: Coombes: Everitt Architects (2024)

Project Team:

McLoughlin Planning (Planning consultants)

Coombes Everitt Architects (Architects)

Willder Ecology (Ecologist)

Now that the revisions to the NPPF have been out for several weeks, we can see how the proposed changes are starting to impact the planning system and the likely consequences for policy-making and decision-making. This article reports on our experiences and thoughts to date and is based on the changes going through as proposed.

Policy Making – revisions to the Standard Method and what this means for housing provision

Turning to policy making, the most crucial point is the revisions to the Standard Method, which sees dramatic increases in housing numbers across the Country. We are working in several LPAs with plans currently being examined, with housing targets of more than 200 homes lower than the Revised Standard Method figure (RSM). The immediate consequence is that it will lead to plans needing to be updated at the point of adoption and subject to immediate review. This opens the door to speculative development applications coming forward, with few options available to LPAs to defend their position.

For those LPAs in the formative stages of Plan making, where they have the opportunity to accommodate those changes, from our discussions with Policy Managers, whilst using the RSM figure is mandatory, the requirement to achieve the RSM figure is more flexible. There is a genuine concern in some LPAs about whether there are simply enough sites available in SHLAAs to meet an RSM requirement. This creates an opportunity for more sites to come forward.

Why is this important? Simply put, policy is everything; it is the tool by which planning decisions are made, and the reforms to the NPPF impact how current policy tools are used. This places a significant emphasis on understanding the strategy implications of the changes as much as the policy tools themselves. We have extensive experience in guiding our clients through the maze of strategy decisions which have to be made on development projects, and the revisions have increased the complexity of this maze and, at the same time, opened up new opportunities. Our team can help you make the most of these opportunities.

Reforming the Green Belt? Welcome to the Grey Belt

The proposed Green Belt reforms are massive as it’s the first time Government Policy has codified when and how Green Belt land should be released for development. These include:

•  Re-writing of the very special circumstances test to allow for a 5-year housing land supply to be used as a VSC justification.
•  Introducing the Grey Belt  – this is not just brownfield land, but also land that does not contribute to the Green Belt’s overall purposes in the first place.

Why is this important?

These reforms directly target brownfield land and peripheral sites on the edge of towns and villages within the Green Belt, for development. Whereas previously, such sites were highly protected by the Green Belt policy, it now allows for a more nuanced approach to assessing their contribution and whether they should be developed. For example, will the loss of a site 100 metres into a Green Belt which is several kilometres in area have a material impact on the openness of the Green Belt? In principle and under the reforms, arguably not. Whereas currently, such a loss would be unacceptable.

Concluding thoughts for the development community

Planning reform presents a significant opportunity for the development community to deliver sites that may have been thwarted by previous government policy. What is clear is that the team at McLoughlin Planning can use our extensive strategy experience to examine all the options available to you, guide you through the process and enable you to realise the development potential of your site, that may not have previously existed.

We are in the process of responding to the latest NPPF consultation, but what with recent Written Ministerial Statements and a lot of chatter surrounding planning reform it is hard to identify what the practical implications may be.

If you want to know how the latest proposals may impact your development aspirations moving forward, don’t hesitate to contact us via: info@mplanning.co.uk

Nathan McLoughlin – Managing Director

Resources:

Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system

WMS made on 30 July 2024

McLoughlin Planning is pleased to have assisted in securing a householder Planning Permission for extensions and alterations to a family home in Camden, London.

Previous experience works in our favour for London build extensions

McLoughlin Planning was approached after the submission of a householder planning application with the London Borough of Camden. The architecture firm, Simon Miller Architects, who we worked with on this project, received correspondence from the assigned case officer, who raised concerns about elements of the proposal to extend the family home and wanted to provide additional space to the rear and convert a ground floor garage to provide an additional internal living space.

New planning Administration Approach? We are here to help!

Due to a recent change to Camden’s internal planning application management policy, applicants are being advised that they will get one opportunity to submit corrections (if the Camden Council considers a route forward can be agreed) before a decision is issued. Negotiations and contact with CamdenCouncil’s planning officers are also limited because of this new policy. Therefore, the scope for engagement and agreeing on a way forward is heavily constrained.

Let’s go back to the beginning – reviewing existing plans and sourcing relevant policies equals planning permission granted!

Working from the email feedback provided, we reviewed it against the relevant Local Plan policies and provided the architect with feedback on how to amend the proposal and a supporting letter offering further policy justification and feedback to the planning officer to assist in revisiting the plans. Following the submission of this additional information, we then helped the architect and applicant with further correspondence with the Council and a review of proposed draft planning conditions provided by the planning officer before the Decision Notice was issued.

By assisting through the later part of the management of the application, we are pleased that a positive outcome could be reached and Planning Permission granted.

Seek planning advice for a smooth sail application process

The above application is a reminder that seeking planning advice before submission can help to manage the need for potential amendments, particularly where Local Planning Authorities are adopting a “no negotiation” or “limited submitted amendments” policy. However, our flexible working approach means that should you need input or advice from one of our planning professionals during your planning application, then please do not hesitate to contact us below:

Chris Moore – Director

T: 01242895008

E: chris.moore@mplanning.co.uk

Yes, you heard it right!

Town planners used to be Olympians (in the non-sporting events that is) and were rewarded Olympic Bronze, Silver or Gold medals for their efforts in urban developments for this iconic international sporting event.

Town Planners Going For Gold – How Did This Start? 

During the 4 Olympic Games (Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Berlin and London) between the years 1928 – 1948, medals were rewarded to town planners for an array of projects they helped to develop and produce in the run-up to the Games. Such included the development of stadiums, sports fields and training centres. The interesting thing was that town planning was categorised under architectural design for the Games – there was no separation of the two. This makes for an interesting insight and poses the question that if there were to be a modern version of town planning being an Olympic sport, it would have its own category due to the differentiation of servicing it offers from architecture.

A Modern Town Planning Olympics

While architectural design is considered in the planning system, there is so much more that the system involves for planning works to take place, such as the functioning of a space to work sustainably for communities, while maintaining the historic beauty of the land. For instance, with a new Olympic Games to take place, thought would need to be considered for residential space, retail, and educational & health environments, along with transport and public use on green spaces.

For a modern town planning Olympics, medals could be rewarded for: 

• The most sustainable build for a sporting event.
• Conversion of a heritage site to meet sporting needs, while maintaining its historic beauty.
• Urban regeneration projects to build a space fit for sporting and in the future for public use and sustainable growth.

Repurpose of Olympic Parks

Over the years the Olympic Parks have been repurposed to make use of the space so it doesn’t become derelict and that the community can enjoy and take pride in using facilities and surroundings that hold such significant value.

Tokyo 2020

• Social and community environment: it has been utilised for family sporting events.
• Residency and commercial use: the Olympic Park has been converted to accommodate and provide leisure activities.
• Reuse of materials: dismantled components have been distributed to local governments to use for various facilities at schools and parks.

Rio 2016

• Underutilised venues: A lot of the Park has become underused with maintenance of infrastructure posing a problem.
• Residential: west of the Park shows a conversion of new housing units which connects well with their Bus Rapid Transit service.

London 2012

• Collaborative hubs: the media and broadcast centre at Here East of the Park has a community of over 6,500 working, studying and collaborating.
• Higher education: UK educational institutions have now developed new campuses in the Park
• Housing: Stratford in East London has been affected with private investments coming in to intensify development opportunities. However, new housing supply at the athlete’s former village may pose the threat of gentrification, leading to prices rising.

So…

What has the Olympics in Paris got in store for regeneration and repurpose after the Games take place? Could it be new residency, utilisation for educational purposes or will it be a community space for those to gain an essence of Parisian lifestyle and enjoy a pain au chocolat or two? As town planners, we are eager to see due to the complex changes that this big worldwide event takes hold of, as development and infrastructure will impact all aspects mentioned, such as public service, the environment, commercial, transport and more.

Resources

• RTPI: a town planner’s Olympic journey
• Irwin Mitchell case study: modern day town planning Olympics
• Town planning – an Olympic sport
• Tokyo Olympics 2020 – a year after the Olympics
• London Here East future prospects

McLoughlin Planning with special thanks to Undercover Architecture, who worked with us on this project and provided the drawings, are pleased to have gained planning permission and listed building consent for the Grade II listed private house, Somerford Keynes House, in the Cotswolds.

Listed building features required for consent

The key areas that the owner wanted consent for were:

• Erection of a porch extension and alterations to the main house.
• Various alterations to Kings Cottage, the Coach House and adjoining outbuildings, which are separately listed Grade II.

Contemporary Changes to the Main House

Alterations to the main house included in this recent granted permission were an addition of a French door with side lights to the side elevation, installation of roof lights in the roof valley between rafters (blocking up of a staircase to the basement with new staircase constructed to access cellar), and other minor workings such as the removal of modern partitions to allow for a more open plan space. In 2011, permission was granted for a stone porch to be added. This time round, a contemporary frameless glazed porch extension, complimented with a living green roof with pressed metal oversailing porch has been proposed to the side of the building to enhance a light and elegant feel to the house.

Family Orientated Outbuildings

In order for the outbuildings to have a more homely feel, internal changes were made to create larger spatial areas, including a raised ceiling, to accommodate for more bedrooms and a cosier setting at Kings Cottage. Proposed changes to the Coach House consist of a casement window to allow for an en-suit, which is located on the first floor to the linking section of the building. Originally, this wasn’t the case to be implemented, but due to concerns of excessive fenestration, the size of roof lights had to be changed and the dormer windows to be discarded. To allow for a modern way of travel and a tranquil Cotswold setting by the pool, an EV charging point and several air source heat pumps (ASHP), that are to be screened with timber for aesthetic purposes, were proposed.

Maintaining Historic Value and Consideration of Planning Policies

Overall, the proposed scheme has considered the historic value and beauty of the building’s original structure and the modern elements added to it over the years, therefore justifying that the new considered extensions and alterations granted for this permission will preserve the listed building for years to come. Additionally, careful considerations were sought out to ensure the development was aligned with legislation and policies, such as Section 16 of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) for works to take place.

I’m a Listed Building Owner – When do I need to Acquire Consent?

If you are a listed building owner and are wondering whether and/or when you need to acquire for listed building consent, please get in contact and one of our planning consultants will be able to assist. Additionally, please view our article here about when to acquire for listed building consent.

Joe Seymour – Associate Director

E: joe.seymour@mplanning.co.uk

T: 01242895008

With a new head in parliament, it begs the question to ask what are Labour’s new plans and ideas for the town planning sector? Housing, the environment, commercial development & infrastructure and the planning system & Local Government are areas that Labour has suggested making changes to in their recent manifesto, so what is in store for this and what have they done in their first 7 days of power to try and implement this?

Labour Manifesto 2024

What is Labour’s housing policy?

Labour is promising 1.5 million homes while in power. Let’s keep in mind that the current national target has been 300,000 homes per year and this was last achieved in 1977. So, what is Labour’s plan for meeting this?

For statistics on house builds over the years, please click here.

Let’s break this down:

• Ensuring authorities have up-to-date local plans.
• Deconstructing and rebuilding the power of sustainability.
• Increasing funds to add more planning officers.
• Revamping the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework).
• Utilising the different ‘belts’ (Brown belt, Green belt & introduction of the Grey belt).
• A new generation! Of land that is – urban extensions and regeneration projects.
• Supporting housing associations and councils for more affordable housing.
• Setting out steps to require cross-boundary strategic planning in combined and mayoral authorities.

What about affordable housing? Has this been considered and valued in the party’s plans?

• Planning obligations will be heightened to ensure housing developments constitute affordable homes.
• Making it a priority that homes should be fitted for social rent.
• Ensuring there is enough capacity for councils and housing associations.
• Switching up the existing Affordable Homes Programme so that existing funding is utilised for more homes.

Commercial Development & Infrastructure

Making plans to develop an industrial strategy and revising the NPPF in order to meet the current economic climate. They say this would help build laboratories, digital infrastructure, and gigafactories.

Planning System & Local Government

Labour shared their views on how the planning system will work and cooperate with local governments to help better utilise and develop the land use.

Labour has stated that in order for the planning system and the Local Government to work well together, there needs to be longer-term funding settlements for local government and better resources for planning departments (yes please!)

What has Labour stated and started to progress with, in the first 7 days?

From the recent speech by our new female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, it would seem that Labour has started to action some of their plans from the Manifesto.

What’s up with the NPPF (national planning policy framework) and how will it support the housing crisis?

 Labour plans to reform the NPPF with a focus on their key aim, ‘growth’, for the approach to the planning system. This will be decided before the end of the month! And will include measures such as mandatory housing targets. For instance, Labour has already planned to accelerate stalled housing sites, beginning with Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe and Langley Sutton Coldfield, who represent a combined total of 14,000 homes. A specialised team will also be put into place to progress the stalled housing sites across the UK.

Ban on wind farms lifted!

Energy is hugely considered in the planning system for a multiple array of projects to ensure for a sustainable approach. Labour has already lifted the ban of onshore wind farms in England, that the Conservative Party deemed that having less wind farms was a good idea… how and why – nobody knows?!

Labour is going to consult on bringing onshore wind back in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime, meaning decisions on large developments will be taken nationally and not locally.

Energy projects are also going to be a priority so that progression can be made (something the Conservatives seemed to lack) with ideas such as a spatial plan being created for energy by seeing where it can be placed for other infrastructure sectors.

The Secretaries of State for Transport and Energy Security and Net Zero will prioritise decisions on infrastructure projects that haven’t been thought about for quite some time

Let’s talk ‘strategic planning’!

Labour has reviewed who will take charge in parliament to help assist with the planning system and Local Government. Reeves states the following:

• Plans are in the works to set out a policy on bringing the following to strategic planning, consisting of Combined Authority Areas, Local Growth Plans and devolution deals (transferring powers and funding from national to local government).
• Support for local authorities with an addition of 300 Planning Officers across the country.
• A change in minister power is needed to ensure a collaborative understanding.

The Deputy Prime Minister has been appointed to help take urgent action to assist with the planning system and stated the following:

• Write to local mayors and the Office for investment opportunities to ensure that if there was an important planning consideration, then it will be brought to attention.
• Local Planning Authorities will be made aware of what is to be expected of them from now on, such as universal coverage of local plans and reviews of greenbelt, brownbelt and greybelt boundaries.

What does this suggest for the future and how does this impact your development aspirations?

In a nutshell, none of us accurately know yet…

The key test will be the implementation of the revised NPPF, which is promised by the end of the month, but given how much Labour has actioned in the first 7 days and that their power word, ‘growth’, deeming to be a force in their plans, it is a clear indication of the primacy that housing and planning will take under this new Government.

Increasing resources for planning departments and support from the Deputy Prime Minister and Local Government show a clear indication the workings within the planning system will move at a faster pace, meaning that you won’t have to wait as long to see whether your planning permissions were secured or not (woohoo!).

However…

The implementation of 300 new Planning Officers poses the question of whether it is going to be enough given that there are 317 Local Authorities in the UK. Is it really going to make a difference or will Labour have to rethink their strategy?

With the ban onshore windfarms lifted already, this sustainable source of energy implemented should help manage to lower costs as the energy delivers cheaper, cleaner, and more secure homegrown energy.

The introduction of a grey belt should hopefully benefit the housing crisis, as its aim will be to help limit large built-up areas and stop large towns from merging into one. Labour intends the grey belt to be used for new affordable family homes.

Rachel Reeves, Chancellor  [July 8^th 2024] – “The work towards a decade of national renewal has begun”.

Any Questions

If you have any thoughts or questions you’d like to discuss regarding the recent promises set out by Labour, our expert planning consultants are more than happy to discuss these with you.

E: info@mplanning.co.uk

T: 01242895008

Resources

• Labour Manifesto 2024
• New homes built over the years
• Chancellor, Rachel Reeves Speech