Planning news – 8 April 2021

Chief planner outlines policy changes
England’s chief planner Joanna Averley has written to local authority planners about the changes to the planning system and temporary measures that will remain to ease the path out of lockdown and aid economic recovery.
Laura Edgar, The Planner

London council consults on second licence for HMOs
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council has published a consultation on draft plans that seek to improve housing standards and take action against landlords that don’t provide safe accommodation for tenants in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Laura Edgar, The Planner

Regeneration plans approved in Southend
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s development control committee has granted planning permissions for the Better Queensway regeneration project, which includes more than 1,700 new homes.
Laura Edgar, The Planner

More than 2,700 new homes set for Manchester brownfield sites
More brownfield land across Greater Manchester is set to be converted into sites for housing using funding from the government’s Brownfield Housing Fund.
Martin Read, The Planner

Skates backs pioneering regional economic frameworks
Welsh minister for economy and transport Ken Skates has spelled out the importance of regional economic frameworks (REFs) as Wales moves towards its first regional planning regime. This clarification came in a written cabinet statement.
Roger Milne, The Planner

News round-up
• Housebuilders join forces on Bridport development
• Derelict site to be transformed with factory homes
• Unilever’s HQ approved
• Application for Ely submitted
• Affordable housing approved in Plaistow
• And more stories…
Laura Edgar, The Planner