Blog written by Nick Pleasant, Associate Director
In early 2017 I – optimistically perhaps – suggested 2017 could be the year of meaningful Local Plan progress (see Housing White Paper requirements and MHCLG intervention(s)). But have we seen real or sufficient progress?
High Court has quashed a planning permission granted by the Forest of Dean District Council to Aldi for a discount food store Coleford, Gloucestershire (see Midcounties Co-operative Limited v Forest of Dean District Council [2017] EWHC 2056 (Admin)).
The judgement provides a useful reminder of the need for clear, robust and reasoned planning judgement, in particular where a decision is finely balanced.
Will Government requirements for 2017 change the approach to adopting Local Plans?
The proposed Housing White Paper may eventually give the necessary detail, but if the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) remains insistent that Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) should ‘produce’ a Local Plan by early 2017, then we may see a stream of LPAs belatedly pressing ahead.
The Government has revised National Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) to confirm that mezzanine floorspace, inserted into an existing building, is not liable for CIL unless the mezzanine forms part of a wider planning permission that seeks to provide other works as well.
PPG previously included a 200sqm threshold, whereby only mezzanines over 200sqm (gross) were liable for CIL, unless the mezzanine was linked to wider works.
This week the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) published amendments to permitted development (PD) rights, primarily designed to deliver new housing. The new legislation can be viewed here
The amendments are largely positive, but some of the legislative tinkering may add confusion to the already complex system.
2019: What’s that coming over the hill?
17th January 2019
Further Successes at Bridgwater Retail Park
20th December 2018
Approval for Modern Extension to Grade II* Listed Hall in Wilmslow
10th December 2018
Check in, check it out
30th November 2018