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Date change for this month’s Portal webinar

Please note that the date has changed for the next webinar (episode 6), it is now scheduled for Tuesday 12 April, 12:00 – 12:30pm.

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Extension of Nutrient Neutrality advice: What is a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA)?

Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

Following an extension of nutrient neutrality advice, applications for planning permission in designated protected sites must now undergo a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA). Proving that the surface water runoff and wastewater will be less than that generated by the existing use. An increase is often found on developments which result in a greater net population being served by a wastewater system, such as overnight accommodation developments.

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Portal Team ascending Cheddar Gorge in charity bike ride

Last September, a number of the Planning Portal team undertook the Beyond Somerset Sportive, cycling 70 miles across North Somerset up through Cheddar Gorge to raise money for We Build the Future UK. They managed to come 15th out of 125 riders!

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Updates to permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure

Following the Government’s consultation outcome on changes to the permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure, and their new version of the Code of practice for wireless network development in England, legislative amendments have now also been published.

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55,055 applications submitted in England and Wales in February

In terms of application submissions, the year has started strongly.
• 55,055 applications were submitted in England and Wales throughout February 2022.
• This is a 13% increase on January 2022.
• Yet a 13% decrease when compared to February 2021.
• Nearly £25 million in application fees were paid to English authorities in a single month.

Also included: This month’s issue also includes analysis on the regional breakdown of application submissions, a national overview from the last six years and an in-depth dive into applications by type and application fees. 

What a line up! Further conference speakers announced

We only have a few weeks left until the Planning Portal Spring Conference and can’t wait to hear some of the discussions from some of the leading experts in the Planning and Building market.

Our Early Bird offer is only available until midnight on 1 April so be sure to get your tickets soon.
Don’t forget, those with a gov.uk email address are able to attend for FREE, so register now using the button below!

We have an excellent line up of speakers and panellists joining us across the four days of our virtual event.

You can see some of them here:

Covering four of the major topics of conversation at the moment, we will be looking at Urban Regeneration, The Building Safety Programme, Beyond Net Zero and The Future of Planning – Local Plans.

With hundreds of delegates in attendance, including members from Local Planning Authorities, Architectural Practices and Planning Consultancies, the week is shaping up to be an excellent event.

Mike Kiely is Chairing our Urban Regeneration Panel! 

Mike is a chartered town planner and MBA qualified manager with over 40 years’ experience in local government, most of that in London and 14 years at service head level and above. He is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, formerly president of the Planning Officers Society and now chair of its Board.  

Mike works closely with government and across the sector to shape planning in England. In 2015 he set up his consultancy, Mike Kiely Planning + Regeneration, to specialise in assisting local authorities to perform better and be more effective.  

Urban regeneration brings back life and prosperity to our towns and cities, and with the impact of COVID on town centres in particular, this has never been more important. Our panel discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges of modern urban regeneration and what it means for planning.  

There is a week left to grab your Early Bird Tickets to join us at the Spring Conference, so register now!

Work for the Public Sector or a Government Body? You can access the conference for free by signing up with your gov.uk email address.  

Our Spring Conference will deliver four days of keynote speeches, panel discussions and breakout sessions, covering a wide range of pertinent topics including:  

  • Urban Regeneration 
  • Future of Planning – Local Plans  
  • Beyond Net Zero  
  • Building Safety Programme  

We have many other excellent speakers joining us throughout the event; you can find out more information here

Planning news – 17 March 2022

Local authorities to get cash boost to tackle air pollution
The government has released £11.6 million from its Air Quality Grant to local authorities in England to fund projects for cleaner air.
Laura Edgar, The Planner

Council consults on climate change planning document
Cheltenham Borough Council is consulting its climate change supplementary planning document (SPD), which is intended to ‘drive the positive change’ the council wants to see from developers.
Laura Edgar, The Planner

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Helen Fadipe to join Urban Regeneration panel at Spring Conference

We have the pleasure of sharing with you that Helen Fadipe, Managing Director of FPP Associates Ltd will be joining the Planning Portal Spring Conference for our Urban Regeneration panel discussion!

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Planning Portal Spring Conference: moderator announcement

We’re pleased to announce that Catriona Riddell, Director of Catriona Riddell & Associates Ltd, will be joining the Planning Portal Spring Conference.

Catriona provides professional support on a wide range of spatial planning issues but focuses on local plans and more specifically strategic planning and working with local authorities and their partners to develop different approaches in terms of both governance structures and output.

We are delighted to share that Catriona will be our moderator for the Future of Planning: Local Plans, panel discussion on 28 April 2022.

You can now sign up for your spot at the virtual Planning Portal Spring Conference, 25 – 28 April 2022, with 12+ hours of CPD presentations, panels and breakout sessions!

We have four days of great presentations and panel discussions. Make sure you secure your tickets now!