Author Archives: admin

A number of new automatic planning permission rights are due to come into force on 30 May. Change of use of existing office buildings to homes will be allowed. This right will not apply to specified parts of 17 councils’ … Continue reading →

The Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 became law on 25 April. Permitted development rules are being changed to allow ‘uncontentious, small-scale extensions’ to be built without a planning application, subject to consultation with neighbours (see subsequent post). Information requirements for … Continue reading →

This year’s budget included a few planning permission-related announcements. There was reference to planning reforms that were going through parliament (see subsequent post). The government is working on reducing the amount of planning guidance. The results are promised in the … Continue reading →

Latest stats show planning permissions for new homes have gone up 60% on the same period a year ago. The numbers permitted are said to be the highest since the beginning of 2008. It remains to be seen whether this … Continue reading →

The first neighbourhood plan to get to the public referendum stage has just been voted through. This plan covers 16 parishes in East Cumbria. The turnout was 34% and 90% of those who voted were in favour. The final step … Continue reading →

The government is revoking the regional planning policy document, the South East Plan. The revocation will take effect on 25 March. This is part of the government’s drive towards ‘localism’. Councils in the South East will have more latitude to … Continue reading →

A recent clear out of the Speer Dade archives turned up an old copy of ‘Planning’ magazine dated 8th January 1999. Fascinating to see what has changed over the last 14 years but a quick scan of the mag reveals … Continue reading →

The government is introducing a new permitted development which it says will come into force in spring of this year, giving planning permission for changes of use from class B1(a) (offices) to class C3 (dwelling houses). The new permitted right … Continue reading →

Latest statistics for planning applications in England have just been published. They cover the quarter to September 2012. The figures show a decrease in the number applications, compared with the previous year, of 2%. About 80% of applications were approved … Continue reading →

The government is changing the rules on what has to be included in planning applications. It will no longer make people who apply for outline planning permission show approximately where buildings would be, where the access would be and specify … Continue reading →