Planning News
Planning Geek provides independent coverage of planning news, legislation, policy changes, planning appeals and important decisions across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Our reporting is led by Ian Walmsley, a planning consultant and founder of Planning Geek. We examine official announcements, decisions and source documents, explaining what has happened, why it matters and what it could mean for homeowners, developers, landlords and communities.
We aim to make planning understandable without losing the important legal detail. Our reporting is separate from the authorities and organisations whose decisions we cover.
Read our Editorial Standards, Sources and Corrections for more information about how we research, verify and correct our reporting.
Stockton housing refusal: councillors reject 75 homes
Councillors refused 75 homes at Stockton despite officer support and a 2.43-year housing land supply, leaving an appeal route open.
Gloucestershire local plan deadline extended to March 2027
Three Gloucestershire councils have until March 2027 to submit their joint plan, but must complete public consultation by December.
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Cawdor radar: MOD updates Welsh planning position
The Ministry of Defence has clarified the Cawdor radar planning position, with Welsh Ministers responsible for deciding the Pembrokeshire proposal.
Ashford HMO controls move forward after council vote
Ashford councillors back evidence gathering for wider HMO planning controls, but no new Article 4 Direction has been made.
Cambridge HMO controls approved
Cabinet has approved preparation of city HMO controls, but no Article 4 Direction has yet been made or taken effect.
Agricultural building wins Calderdale Green Belt appeal
Calderdale farm storage wins an appeal before livestock arrive, with registration evidence and strict conditions controlling materials and use.
Green Belt infill wins two Solihull self-build homes
Two self-build homes win a Solihull Green Belt appeal despite poor access to services, under the revised national planning framework.
Bellarena greenway route consultation closes 31 October
Northern Ireland's proposed Bellarena greenway is at route-options stage, with comments on the 14km active travel link closing on 31 October.
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Sutton Benger appeal: nine homes fail despite supply gap
An Inspector rejects up to nine Wiltshire homes despite a 2.42-year supply, finding the village-edge location and listed farm setting unacceptable.
Class Q appeal fails after horse riding history
A Derbyshire barn conversion fails despite farming evidence after historic recreational horse riding leaves the Inspector unconvinced about Class Q eligibility.
Stockton housing refusal: councillors reject 75 homes
Councillors refused 75 homes at Stockton despite officer support and a 2.43-year housing land supply, leaving an appeal route open.
Gloucestershire local plan deadline extended to March 2027
Three Gloucestershire councils have until March 2027 to submit their joint plan, but must complete public consultation by December.
Biodiversity Gain Rules Probed Over Section 73
Parliament's statutory instrument watchdog has examined why biodiversity gain exemptions use two date tests for section 73 permissions.
Local Green Space appeal allows two Trull homes
Two self-build homes win at protected Trull Meadow after an Inspector accepts village infill but rejects the applicants' costs claim.
Ashford HMO controls move forward after council vote
Ashford councillors back evidence gathering for wider HMO planning controls, but no new Article 4 Direction has been made.
Class Q extension wins on gravel yard at Bromsgrove farm
An Inspector finds compacted gravel qualifies as a hard surface for a Class Q extension, allowing a barn conversion in Bromsgrove.
Article 4 appeal allows six-person Greenwich HMO
An Inspector allowed a six-person HMO in Plumstead despite an Article 4 Direction, finding insufficient evidence of harm to neighbours or housing mix.
Bristol HMO appeal allowed with partial costs award
An eight-person HMO has won its Bristol planning appeal, with the council ordered to pay partial costs over two unsupported refusal reasons.
Traveller site enforcement upheld but consent granted
Ten Hertfordshire enforcement notices survive, but a separate appeal grants retrospective permission with new drainage obligations for a ten-pitch Traveller site.
Enforcement notice service fault quashes Bedford notice
A Bedford storage enforcement notice was quashed over failure to serve customers, although the applicants' separate costs claim was refused.
Wales Proposes Underground-First Electricity Lines
Wales consults on prioritising underground electricity lines for devolved schemes, with three proposed exception tests and a January 2027 deadline.
Spatial Energy Plan Deadline Moved to December 2027
Government directs NESO to submit Britain's first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan by December 2027, a year later than the existing licence deadline.
Topsham Museum ruling gives Exeter council wider options
High Court rules Exeter holds the historic museum property beneficially, but listed building controls and a protected lease remain relevant.
Catfield Fen ruling finds Natural England in breach
The court found protective duties were breached at a Norfolk wetland, but left any further orders for later submissions.
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Planning Geek provides independent coverage of planning news, legislation, policy changes, planning appeals and important decisions across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Our reporting is led by Ian Walmsley, a planning consultant and founder of Planning Geek. We examine official announcements, decisions and source documents, explaining what has happened, why it matters and what it could mean for homeowners, developers, landlords and communities.
We aim to make planning understandable without losing the important legal detail. Our reporting is separate from the authorities and organisations whose decisions we cover.
Read our Editorial Standards, Sources and Corrections for more information about how we research, verify and correct our reporting.