Planning
Council acts after planning 'collusion'
‘Swift action’ has been taken by Northumberland Council’s senior management after ‘several persons in positions of authority and control’ appeared to ‘collude’ with a developer.
LEPs start to buckle after overlap threat
Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) are finally succumbing to a threat by ministers to withhold funding from them if they refuse to remove overlapping boundaries.
Permitted development pressure on Government grows
Pressure is growing on the Government to conclude its review of homes built under controversial permitted development rights and scrap the rules.
Funding communities at the coal face
Areas like Bassetlaw need a change of approach by Government that delivers investment in hard-to-measure community assets, argues David Armiger.
The sector cannot simply make blank cheque arguments
It will be crucial to show the new Government that investing in local government will provide a return for ministers, says Simon Edwards.
Council vows to defend local plan
Sevenoaks DC has vowed not to withdraw its draft local plan despite continued pressure from the planning inspector.
Westminster in phone box call
Westminster City Council has called on the Government to amend planning regulations to allow local authorities to force telecoms companies to remove under-used phone boxes.
NHS chief slams 'perverse' planning rules
The chief executive of the NHS has slammed ‘perverse’ planning rules making it easier for fast food outlets to open but placing restrictions on gyms.
The ‘no plan’ plan
If it’s possible for anyone involved in planning to keep a lower profile than usual, it’s likely to be happening at Northumberland CC.
Hull’s proactive approach to housing
Trish Dalby outlines how Hull City Council is meeting housing need through a proactive and partnership approach.
Labour pledge planning system changes to provide discounted homes
Labour has proposed changes to the planning system that would enable councils to compel developers to build discounted homes for first-time buyers.
Sunderland receives £100m ‘vote of confidence'
Sunderland City Council’s city centre masterplan has received a massive boost from a £100m deal with Legal & General.
Sheffield blames austerity for planning proposals
Sheffield City Council has blamed austerity for proposals to cut the number of officers in its planning department.
S106 & Unilateral Undertakings
The area of law relating to imposing planning obligations in relation to land that the local authority itself owns remains a headache, but there are other options to consider, says Tiffany Cloynes.
DCN in high streets 'emergency' warning
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) has warned Britain’s high streets are in a ‘state of emergency’ as annual retail planning applications have almost halved since 2015.
No date for replacing EU investment funding
More details of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) have been revealed by local government secretary Robert Jenrick but there is still no timetable for its introduction.
Ministry in 11th-hour housing climb-down
The Government has revised its housing delivery test result for Lewes DC after a legal challenge by the local authority.
One magic wish for change
The answers given by prospective strategic directors of resources and place to the question of what one law or change they would want the Government to make - and why - gave the interviewers at Stroud DC food for thought, says Kathy O'Leary.
Council expresses 'serious concerns' after planning hearings halted
The first local plan to be assessed under a new framework has stalled after the Planning Inspectorate unexpectedly cancelled the next round of hearings.
Government to intervene over 5G concerns
Ministers are reportedly set to write to planning authorities urging them not to block the introduction of 5G technology.