We’re delighted to be supporting the inaugural BPIC Awards, as sponsors of the ‘Best Apprenticeship Programme’ award category. Nominations are currently open, but hurry – they close on 28 August 2021.
Read more…Microsoft have announced that they will be withdrawing their Internet Explorer 11 browser (IE11) on 15 June 2022. Consequently, the browser will no longer be supported by Microsoft.
In line with this announcement, the Planning Portal will no longer support Internet Explorer on any products from October 2021 onwards, to coincide with preparations to move the Planning Portal application service to a new platform.
Read more…Consultation opens on NSIP process
The government has published a consultation on the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning (NSIP) regime that seeks views on its processes from those who engage with the regime.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
55,000 households used help-to-buy scheme last year
According to government statistics, more than 55,000 households bought their home using the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme in the 2020/21 financial year.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
First Homes scheme open for bids
The government is inviting housebuilders to bid for a share of a £150 million package by offering plots for sale as First Homes, which are aimed at first-time buyers and key workers.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Our latest Planning Market Insight Report has revealed that seasonal patterns in planning applications appear to be settling back into their usual trends, albeit we are still seeing higher numbers of submissions than is typical.
Last month, planning application numbers rose in every English region and in Wales as compared to July 2020. Overall, applications were six per cent higher than last year, but though every region saw an increase, the extent of this varied across the country, ranging from one per cent to 13 per cent.
Read more…
Joining our Planning Reform discussion at the Planning Portal Annual Conference on Monday, 15 November 2021 at 2:00pm is Angus Kerr, Chief Planner and Director of Regional Planning, Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
Read more…Tall building pipeline ‘remains strong’
Research has shown that the pipeline of high-rise buildings across the UK ‘remains strong’ with more than three quarters designed for residential purposes.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Jenrick writes to PINs over planning changes
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has urged planning inspectors to be ‘alive’ to changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) announced in July.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Government urged to create wilder national parks
Ministers have been urged to show ‘real leadership’ and create wilder national parks where grouse shoots are phased out to improve the health of moorland.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
The Planning Portal has received 450,020 applications so far in 2021. 62,593 of these were submitted in July 2021, a two percent decrease from June 2021. While the numbers of applications submitted are still at far higher rates than those in the last five years, the seasonal trends we tend to see in the summer are once again visible.
Read more…Fire safety planning requirements have come into force
Measures to ensure that fire safety matters are incorporated at the planning stage for high-rise residential developments have come into force.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
UK builders see Q2 rise in workloads
Builders’ workloads are at their highest levels for 10 years, and materials prices have also risen during the second quarter of 2021, April to June.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
£40m committed to trees and nature recovery
The government has committed £40 million through its Green Recovery Challenge Fund to support 90 projects across England.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
The rise in applications this June as compared to June 2020 was felt in every region in England and Wales. Overall, applications were 17 per cent higher than last year, but though every region saw an increase, the extent of this varied across the country.
The North East continued to see the strongest recovery in percentage terms, 26 per cent higher this June than last, closely followed by London and Wales where volumes were 24 per cent higher.
Read more…UNESCO strips Liverpool of World Heritage status
Liverpool has been stripped of its World Heritage status. The decision to delete Liverpool was made at a UNESCO meeting in China, where delegates voted 13 to five in favour of the recommendation.
Huw Morris, The Planner
Government launches consultation on building safety levy
The government has begun a consultation on a key policy reform for developing high-rise buildings in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Huw Morris, The Planner
West Midlands signs partnership for 5,000 homes
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has signed a partnership deal with developer St. Modwen to build 5,000 high-quality, energy efficient homes on disused industrial land in the next decade.
Huw Morris, The Planner
