Parliament’s statutory instrument watchdog has examined why biodiversity gain exemptions use two date tests for section 73 permissions.
Biodiversity Gain Rules Probed Over Section 73
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Policy & Local Plans News – Page 2
Recent planning policy and local plan news, including national policy, Green Belt, strategic planning and plan-making developments.
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Latest planning news
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.
Stockton Local Plan Consultation Opens Until 4 December
Stockton’s new Local Plan consultation opens, with separate routes to propose development land or nominate valued green spaces before 4 December.
Horsham Local Plan Hearings End with Soundness Signal
Horsham’s Local Plan examination hearings have ended with an encouraging provisional finding, but further consultation and an Inspector’s report remain outstanding.
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.
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.
Baldock Housing Plans Secure Committee Backing
North Herts councillors back up to 3,200 Baldock homes, but the scheme still awaits its legal agreement and formal planning decision.
Cambridge HMO controls approved
Cabinet has approved preparation of city HMO controls, but no Article 4 Direction has yet been made or taken effect.
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.
Supported Housing Panel Calls for Funding Reforms
England’s supported housing advisory panel proposes 31 reforms covering licensing, residents and delivery, but its recommendations are not yet law.
Legacy Local Plan Deadline Extended to March 2027
England’s legacy Local Plan submission deadline moves to 31 March 2027 for qualifying plans completing Regulation 19 by December.
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.
Tonbridge HMO controls now in force
Immediate controls now require planning permission for new small HMO conversions in mapped parts of Tonbridge, Snodland and East Malling.
Permission in principle allows eight Cornwall homes
Eight homes received permission in principle at Mevagissey despite local plan conflict and landscape harm, but detailed consent remains outstanding.
Housing supply appeal allows 40 homes near Cambridge
An Inspector allowed 40 homes at Great Abington, rejecting the council’s revised housing supply calculation and weighing affordable housing and heritage impacts.
Rushcliffe Local Plan: Growth Views Close at 5pm
Rushcliffe’s Local Plan scoping consultation closes at 5pm on 23 October, with housing need now assessed at about 890 homes annually.
North Warwickshire controls start
North Warwickshire’s borough-wide HMO planning controls have applied since 2nd March 2026, according to the council’s sealed Direction.
Tunbridge Wells Call for Sites Closes on 26 October
Tunbridge Wells reminds landowners that the call for sites closes on 26th October 2026, as its Local Plan review tackles rising housing need.
Stafford Local Plan Begins 30-Month Countdown
Stafford begins its new Local Plan on 23 October 2026, setting consultation milestones for 2027 and 2028 and targeting April 2029 adoption.
Green Book reforms to join up local investment plans
Government plans Green Book reforms to assess housing, transport and other local investment together, with detailed guidance expected after the Budget.
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