In these monthly updates, Rebecca Mushing brings together essential news, trends, and insights from the world of planning and development.
This month, Rebecca dives into why planning continues to dominate the conversation, with a spotlight on remarks from Matthew Pennycook during his appearance before the select committee.
July 2025 planning and development roundup:
Latest news
- Plans go down the drain over wastewater woes. In what seems like it could be the next ‘nutrient neutrality’ scenario, applications across the country are being refused due to water authorities already being at capacity in relation to waste water. If not refused, conditions are being attached to permissions to prevent occupation until sufficient infrastructure for wastewater is in place. This could seriously hinder the delivery of homes.
- By December 2025, all local authorities are to join a digital service for planning appeals which will streamline the submission and management of appeals. The roll out will be carried out in tranches and commenced in June.
- Hold on tight, the planning journey begins. Universal Studios has lodged their application for a new theme park in Bedfordshire. They have opted for the Special Development Order process which means a government minster will decide on the application rather than the local authority. The company behind the application have said that the project will help deliver several long sought after transportation upgrades in the area.
- When paperwork costs more than planning, the CIL rules may come under review. There have been many headlines where individuals have been harshly penalised due to not complying with the strict CIL requirements. Due to these technicalities, individuals can and have seen charges of tens of thousands for incorrectly completing the paperwork. Matthew Pennycook has announced that the government are very seriously considering amending the CIL regulations to avoid these individuals being so harshly hit by charges as he was clear that the regulations were not intended to operate in such a way.
- After a reshuffle in the shadow cabinet James Cleverly has been appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. He has stated that he wants to make sure there is a credible plan to deliver homes, noting that the process has become expensive and bureaucratic with smaller housebuilders being squeezed out of the sector.
- The English Devolution bill was published on 11 July. The Bill looks to shift power from Westminster to the regions providing local leaders powers to deliver growth and public services in their area.
What did Matthew Pennycook say when he appeared before the select committee?
- There is an increased appetite from registered providers for units provided by way of Section 106 agreements. Of late this has been a problem for developers with the provision of affordable units being a requirement of their permissions, but with registered providers finances being one of the barriers to acquisition of these units. Pennycook advised registered providers were re-looking at their finances following the government’s pledge of £39 billion for affordable housing. There remains the issue however that there doesn’t appear to be a clear idea of where the uncontracted stock of affordable housing is located despite this renewed appetite.
- He is considering introducing the dormant dispute resolution scheme introduced under the Housing and Planning Act 2016. This would allow an appointed person to be brought into negotiations where there are unresolved issues holding up the completion of a planning agreement. The appointed person would produce a report and if an agreement based on its recommendations is signed, a local authority could not then refuse permission on the grounds of lack of a sufficient 106. If the recommended terms are not signed up to in a set period, the permission could be refused.
- Swift bricks (which provide nesting for birds) may become mandatory in all new buildings. This is thought to be introduced by national development management policies which were due to be consulted on in the spring but have been delayed.
- Updated viability guidance which was due in spring this year is delayed as further work needs to be done to introduce a national benchmark land value for green belt development.
If you have any question's about this month's roundup, our Planning team will be delighted to help - please don't hesitate to get in touch.
