In these monthly updates, Rebecca Mushing brings together essential news, trends, and insights from the world of planning and development.
Looking to stay on top of the latest in planning and development? Rebecca's May roundup highlights some important news and policy shifts across the sector, from new debates in the House of Commons to reflections following UKREiiF.
May 2025 planning and development roundup:
- The government is to consult on planning officers determining all applications which propose 10 or less homes. Pennycook states that they are going to be bold in this space. The idea is to increase speed and certainty. Planning
committees are to be left to deal with the biggest and most controversial of applications. For me this seems a sensible approach which will allow those trained professionals to consider an application without being delayed by an unnecessary committee. Some have concerns that it removes the ability by the public and those elected by them to participate. I don’t believe it does, they can still provide their concerns and objections by way of the consultation process. - The government have estimated the Planning and Infrastructure Bills impact on the economy could be between 3.2 billion and 7.5billion over a 10 year period. The largest monetary impact would be the reduced costs to business. Changes in planning application fees would have the biggest impact on the public sector. It is quite evident that speeding up the process and making it more certain would attract investment and possibly dare I say encourage those smaller housebuilders back into the market.
- A call for evidence has been published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for amongst other matters feedback on proposals to mandate solar canopies on new car parks and the potential to deploy them on existing car parks. This seems to have been a conversation I have heard rumble on in the background for some time. Let’s watch this space to see where it goes.
- The Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise campaign group has begun the process for challenging the expansion of London Luton Airport. It claims that development consent was granted unlawfully. The campaign group claims the application failed to include adequate environmental assessments and neglects to assess the potential effects that the development would have specifically on climate change.
- An amendment to the PIB has been tabled to allow the secretary of state to apply surcharges to application fees to fund statutory consultee bodies. Whilst this appears to be yet another burden upon developers, will it be welcomed if a better service is received? The surcharges would be used to facilitate better engagement with statutory consultees.
- Raynor used her speech at UKREiiF to encourage developers to build build build to help achieve the 1.5 million target. She stated the government has listened and has created the right conditions for them to build. She wants smaller house builders to play a bigger role and claim back their place as backbone of housebuilding. She also called for local authorities to raise their game on updating local plans and work together with housing associations to build a new generation of social housing.
- 1 May saw more LURA provisions coming into force relating to Crown development. Two new routes became available for planning applications for Crown development in England. (1) development considered of national importance and needed as a matter of urgency (2) development considered of national importance but not considered to be urgent. The new process will allow application for permission directly to the SoS for either route. If the SoS does not consider it to be of national importance they can refer it to the LPA. Decisions made by the SoS under these new provisions are final. The decision can only be challenged via S288 TCPA 1990 by a person who is aggrieved by the decision.
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.
