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Planning news

01 February 2012

Since the Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme was introduced, in April 2010, there have been concerns that the government would lower subsidies for solar photovoltaic energy production. In October 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced that there would be a reduction from 43.3p to 21p per kilowatt hour from 3rd March. Many felt that this decision would be a huge backward step for households wishing to become carbon neutral, solar panel suppliers and the environment as a whole. Various bodies challenged the DECC at the High Court, with success, before Christmas. However, DECC have recently put in a counter-appeal against this decision.

13 January 2012
A proposal by the Manchester Airport Group (MAG), to create a new business city, which will create thousands of new jobs, has been revealed. The plans have been developed over a number of years and include mixed use developments, such as hotel, office, retail and advanced manufacturing space. The aim is to attract international business and investment. Airport City, as it will be called, will be the centrepiece of the Manchester Enterprise Zone, which was implemented in March 2011. Many businesses have shown interest in the scheme and it could bring much needed growth to the region.

19 December 2011
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a relatively new tariff that can be charged against various types of development, to fund local infrastructure. At present, when an existing planning permission is changed or removed, through a section 73, a new CIL is triggered. Therefore, there has been the worry that the CIL will be charged to some developers more than once (who decide to make changes to the development). It could also create unnecessary re-opening of section 106 agreements that have already been actioned. This could result in increased uncertainty, longer decision making and a slowdown in the number of developments.

04 December 2011
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a scheme, that was announced in March 2011, to provide financial support for businesses and individuals, to generate heat from renewable sources, such as biomass, solar thermal and heat pumps. It is due to be rolled out in two phases; the first aimed at supporting big industrial and commercial generators; and the second phase - for households. Unfortunately funding has recently been cut for large-scale biomass projects, which will reduce the number of schemes over the next few months. However, the reduced level of funding will still result in significantly higher uptake than without the RHI.

20 November 2011
The Localism Bill received long-awaited Royal assent last week. The abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) and the implementation of neighbourhood plans will be the next step in the process, coming into force in April 2012. Much time will be spent over the next few months assessing the needs of local communities, looking at planning issues, such as housing and job shortages. It is unknown to what extent power will be shifted to local communities, as the presumption in favour of sustainable development (contained in the draft NPPF) may overrule any decisions. Watch this space...

05 November 2011
The Localism Agenda aims to give people more control over the places where they live and work. Recently, there has been a growing fear of the possible inability of residents to produce documents that will become legal planning policies. Some planners have explained that it takes years of training and experience to be able to produce sound planning policies. There have also been concerns that planning lawyers will make a quick buck by "de-coding" information produced by residents. It is important that planners support communities and help make the whole process smoother, but this will be increasingly difficult given the lack of resources, as a result of the recession.

23 October 2011
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced that it intends to release another piece of its estate so that the government can build up to 12,500 extra homes. The plans will provide a boost to the economy (which has been struggling as a result of the global recession). Unfortunately it will not be a quick process, as the MOD will require relocation of several facilities. However, the MOD intends to release additional land in the future.

07 October 2011
The draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has continued to cause debate in the planning world. The National Trust has expressed deep concerns that the framework will cause unsustainable growth where local plans are missing or incomplete. Around 48% of councils will not have an up-to-date core strategy in time for the full NPPF implementation. The Coalition has firstly argued that the countryside will not be at risk from urban sprawl and secondly that it will give councils "transitional arrangements" to update their local plans. It is important that economic growth is balanced with environmental protection. Please use our forum to discuss this issue.

25 September 2011
The Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme, which was introduced in April 2010, has seen a rapid increase in large-scale solar installations, following news that funding will be cut, to protect revenue for small-scale developments. The scheme was started to provide financial incentive for businesses, schools, individuals and communities who installed renewable energy (RE) technologies to generate their own electricity. The number of large scale applications is expected to drop, but a proposed relaxation of permitted development (PD) rights for domestic wind turbines may increase small-scale uptake and contribute to reaching the 2020 carbon reduction targets.

08 September 2011
All English councils have the same fixed fees for planning applications. However, the amount of revenue generated from these fees varies widely depending on the types of development and each specific area. It has been argued that some councils have not been covering the full costs of processing applications, which has forced job cuts (Westminster City Council have made six positions redundant). The government does intend to allow variable planning fees in the future, but it has taken much longer than anticipated, to set it in stone. This is creating uncertainty and turbulence for some councils throughout the country.

20 August 2011
Peel Energy, the owners of Scout Moor Windfarm (located on the West-Pennine moors) are proposing to install more turbines to the North and East of the current site. The windfarm is currently the largest in England and the sixth largest in the UK. It will launch a consultation on plans later this year and investigations will take place to judge the affect on biodiversity if the turbines were built. Once this has been undertaken, Peel Energy will understand how many turbines they will be able to erect. An application will then be submitted to the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit.

30 July 2011
The draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has recently been published. Its aim is to promote sustainable development and favour town centre projects (over out of town projects). There has been widespread criticism of the NPPF claiming that the draft is full of gaps and loopholes. However, the draft is a step in the right direction towards a spatial planning framework, which the RTPI has been striving for over the last decade. However, the RTPI are concerned that the Framework will not secure balanced economic and housing growth across England. There is also the worry that it would steer local policies in the wrong direction.

13 July 2011
The government may be one step closer to reaching its 2020 targets for renewable energy generation following the announcement that £30 million would be injected into the offshore wind industry over the next four years. This funding will be spent on innovation and technological advancements. This is part of a renewable energy roadmap that will also provide support to wave and tidal power technology. The roadmap will resolve disputes between planners and developers and support long-term Feed in Tariff (FIT) projects.

01 July 2011
Despite guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) explaining that generally only one enterprise zone would be allowed per Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), three LEPs are bidding for second enterprise zones even though they have already been allocated one. However, it is thought that only LEPs with exceptional circumstances, such as unusually complex geography and economic conditions would be considered for a second enterprise zone.

16 June 2011
As part of the government's overhaul of the planning system, it has stated that there should be more focus on sustainable development. If a local plan is silent or absent then the standard decision should be "yes" as long as the development complies with national policy and is sustainable.
Greg Clark, decentralisation and planning minister, explained that "this change to planning policy will speed up development, while placing a strong emphasis on the protection of the environment and local communities". Some argue this is not a new idea and will focus more on the economy than the environment.

28 May 2011
Any local financial considerations will be made material to planning applications following a recent change to the Localism Bill. It will enable local communities to understand how much money a particular scheme brings to an area through the Community Infrastructure Levy and the New Homes Bonus. However, it may steer away from good planning and sustainable development by focusing too much on the economy. It could also reduce public confidence in the planning system.

06 May 2011
North-East England could house the largest wind farm in the country if plans go ahead to build one east of Newton Aycliffe. The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) would be required to be involved if the farm exceeded the 50MW threshold, as set in the 2008 Planning Act. It will require a thorough cost-benefit analysis and environmental impact assessment, as there are already a number of windfarms in the wider area.

15 April 2011
New jobs could be created in Lancashire if a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) goes ahead, which has had formal backing by the Coalition government. The LEP would cover Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council, with possible expansion to Blackburn with Darwen Council. Numerous local businesses have shown interest in joining the LEP. Backing by the government at this stage could allow enough time to put together a successful bid for the next round of applications.

05 April 2011
The government will be undertaking a voluntary assessment of any environmental effects caused by the removal of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS). How this will be undertaken is still unknown and it would be a mammoth task. It will occur during movement of the Localism Bill through Parliament and, once the assessment has taken place, each RSS will be revoked.

23 March 2011
BUDGET - a large proportion of today's budget focuses on the planning system. One of the main changes will be to encourage development by saying "yes" to more proposals. RTPI president, Richard Summers, explained that if this is the case, England will become a country "of tin sheds, Lego land housing and US style shopping malls”. This may reduce focus on important issues, such as sustainable development and climate change. However, it may provide much needed economic stimulation.

12 March 2011
The Coalition government has criticised the planning system, saying that, in it's present state, it is a barrier to economic growth. Richard Summers, president of RTPI, argued against the Coalition's statement, explaining that planners are often convenient targets for ministers and that the slowdown in the property market is the main cause of inactivity, not the planning system.

26 February 2011
Funds raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) may be used to pay for affordable housing. An idea such as this has been frowned upon in the past. However, it is difficult to argue that affordable housing is not part of an area's infrastructure. If introduced, it could provide a much needed boost, but may result, in some cases, in double charging. This could have a negative effect on developers planning new projects.

12 February 2011
The DEFRA proposals to transfer/sell a large proportion of woodland has come up against substantial backlash. A petition of approximately 500,000 people has been signed to urge ministers to re-think proposals. There are fears that the country's tourism sector will be negatively affected and conservation schemes would be lost.

29 January 2011
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is a transparent method of generating revenue for infrastructure, by charging developers for different types of development was retained in the Localism Bill. It will be adapted to ensure that Neighbourhoods receive a larger percentage of the revenue. It has been argued that this will create more complex and time-consuming administrative procedures.

18 January 2011
The Environment Agency's budget will be reduced from £829 million to £652 million by 2014/2015. The flood budget will be reduced considerably, which may cause delays in strategic planning.

07 January 2011
A £4 million fund for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) will be implemented to cover the next four years. However, it won't be enough to fund day-to-day running costs of the public-private partnerships.

22 December 2010
Localism Bill - Some of the new features of the Localism Bill (such as Referenda and Rights to Challenge and Buy) may prove to be powerful tools for local communities. However, they may require huge amounts of time and resources. Rural communities may benefit more from the Right to Build feature.

13 December 2010
The Localism Agenda is due to be unveiled today at 3.30pm. The government explain that it will remove the top-down control of communities, shifting power to local councils and empowering people in their own neighbourhoods. Others believe that it will cause a wave of NIMBYism and slow down house building and economic growth. See the plans here

03 December 2010
The High Court has found that the coalition government's revocation of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) was unlawful. Planners should give regard to them whilst the hearing unfolds. Eric Pickles, communities secretary said that the removal was a material consideration.

26 November 2010
Eric Pickles, communities secretary, explained that the evidence that the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies has caused councils to make huge cuts to housing targets, is "based on iffy evidence and very unconvincing"

19 November 2010
The CALA lawyers who were successful in challenging the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) have began further legal proceedings to challenge the government's statements that the abolition will not cause drastic changes.

12 November 2010
The proposed high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham will cut through some of the country's most beautiful countryside. Some fear it will be disasterous to the Chilterns.

05 November 2010
The recent government's White Paper on local growth confirmed that there will be a level below the Local Development Plan called Neighbourhood Plans

20 October 2010
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) will be wound up following funding cuts. Some argue that design quality will be significantly reduced.

13 October 2010
Proposals to merge planning departments have recently emerged. Some argue that it will harm the quality of public services and cause conflict between departments. However, if Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) can be involved in the transition, then the black hole, caused by the removal of RSSs, may be filled

02 October 2010
Milton Keynes Council is planning to slash its proposed housing provision by nearly a third following the abolition of regional spatial strategies (RSSs). Read the full article here

17 September 2010
As the regional spatial strategies have been abolished, planners want a clear vision for the future of strategic spatial planning in the UK that involves bottom up techniques as well as top down.

05 August 2010
RTPI website - A uniquely wide-ranging group of 29 national bodies have written to the Communities and Local Government Secretary, Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, to urge national and local government to work with them to ensure that strategic planning – planning at the ‘larger-than-local level’ - is embedded in any reform of the planning system under the new agenda for localism. See the article here

30 July 2010
In the Con-Dem government's localism bill, rural community organisations will be able to proceed without a specific planning application as long as there is overwhelming support in a local referendum. See the article here

15 July 2010
The coalition Government has published a timetable for implementing its decentralising and localism agenda which indicates that the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) may survive until April 2012. See article here