Blog

Since our last issue, the team at NJL have remained busy and have continued to support clients on a range of exciting projects across the country. The team has had a number of application approvals and have made several planning submissions for a range of projects. This newsletter gives you a synopsis of our activities over the last 6 weeks.

Now we have had some time to come to terms with the Government’s introduction of First Homes, it has been a busy old summer determining the practical implications for all our various clients’ needs in the NW and beyond – which it is fair to say are diverse; some see the changes as onerous additional burdens with others seeing potential opportunities! Read Mark Saunders and Rachel White's thoughts on the new tenure and implications below. 

 NJL are delighted to have secured planning permission for a reserved matters scheme of 202 dwellings on behalf of Bloor Homes. The grant of consent follows the landmark Green Belt appeal decision for the Seashell Trust which was approved by the Secretary of State in April 2020.

May and June 2021 marked a further return to ‘normality’ with further Covid-19 restrictions easing across the Country. City centre’s are returning to their pre-pandemic vibrancy and the diaries are becoming more and more full with meetings, events and other social activities.  The NJL team are now back working in the office throughout the week and look forward to catching up with people from the industry over the summer months. 

Across May and June, NJL has seen a busy and prosperous period with various project successes and planning committee dates, new instructions, new appointments and promotions. You can read a round up of our activities last month here.

Following consultation held earlier this year on a draft national design code and proposed amendments to the NPPF, it is clear that the government are now placing a greater emphasis on new development securing quality design and placemaking. This has been followed by last week’s announcement of a pilot scheme under which 14 local planning authorities will receive £50,000 each to prepare their own local design codes based upon the design principles set out within the National Model Design Code (NMDC).

NJL Consulting has secured planning permission for two high quality new homes in the Leeds Green Belt.