Planning

Latest Planning

POLICY AND POLITICS

Four councils reject planning rule change

By Dan Peters | 30 October 2026

Four English councils have rejected government reforms transferring planning decisions from elected councillors to officers despite warnings that non-compliance could lead to legal challenges.

REORGANISATION

LGR cannot stagger on as a zombie policy

By Jonathan Carr-West | 30 October 2026

Jonathan Carr-West says there’s clearly a sense in the sector that the window to get reorganisati...

AI

Councils and AI: The future is now

By Eddie Copeland | 29 October 2026

If councils want to make the most of AI they need to start thinking longer term, says Eddie Copel...

Plan submission deadline extended

By Neil Merrick | 26 October 2026

Councils drawing up local development plans under old regulations have been given an extra three ...

HOUSING

Peers call for clarity on new towns

By Martin Ford | 15 October 2026

The Government has been urged to commit or ‘give up on’ its pledge to build the next generation o...

PLANNING

Minister denies planning changes are 'overriding democracy'

By Martin Ford | 13 October 2026

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has denied changes to planning delegation rules were ‘overridi...

HOUSING

EXCLUSIVE: Council development firm could be wound down by 2030

By Neil Merrick | 07 October 2026

A loss-making development firm formed a decade ago by Cambridgeshire CC could be wound down by 2030.

POLICY AND POLITICS

Councils still waiting on fees and charges review 10 months on

By Dan Peters | 01 October 2026

The Local Government Association (LGA) has called on ministers to deliver their commitment to rev...

DEVOLUTION

Devolution must reach the councils that deliver

By Cllr Jason Perry | 29 September 2026

Devolution must give local authorities the powers, funding and accountability to deliver, says ex...

POLICY

A certain view of local government

By Jonathan Werran | 23 September 2026

Jonathan Werran looks at how local government could gain inspiration from General Charles de Gaul...

HOUSING

Seizing a key opportunity to deliver affordable and social housing

By Vince Maple | 14 September 2026

Councils should be at the heart of delivery for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to be a...