There are still places left on the PAS free councillor training on planning policy, decision making and infrastructure. If you are a councillor who is new to planning or you want a refresher or an update, please book a place.
Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) have announced the 14 councils that are piloting the local use of the new National Design Codes.
We will be working to help evaluate and share the learning from these pilots, as well deliver some wider support around the use of design codes. If your council would be interested please let us know at pas@local.gov.uk
The Environment Bill will bring in new requirements for councils, in particular BNG, for most planning applications. Register for our councillor workshop on 16 June for an overview of what is happening, and to tell us what you want and need from us to help you fulfil these new duties.
We have posted some top tips for good development management performance, accompanied by a presentation that you can use to help you discuss improvements you wish to make. These top tips will be used to update and relaunch the Development Management Challenge Toolkit. Watch this space for further updates.
Steve and Pete are also offering support to councils who have lost a number of appeals recently and therefore could be in danger of not meeting the Government's target on the quality of decision making. If you have not been offered support but would like help to improve your appeals performance then please contact Pete at peter.ford@local.gov.uk
Plan making during a pandemic and a continually changing planning system is an interesting and difficult challenge. Martin shares his observations on the common issues planners are facing and how by working together PAS, councils, and Government can all contribute to getting local plans in place by 2023.
In our latest blog Anna and Rachael share their reflections on the RTWP programme and give thanks to the learners for showing us how their wide range of skills and experience would complement any planning team. The programme also taught us that there can be inherent barriers in our recruitment processes – something that we would ask you all to reflect on
We are looking forward to being able to get out and about to see councils in person once again. We will be running our annual Heads of Planning Conference on 27 & 28 January at a venue to be announced (in the Midlands) so save the date.
Planning Gateway One, the first stage of the building safety regime, is coming in August. Developers of residential buildings over 18 metres will need to provide a Fire Statement and the HSE’s Building Safety Regulator will become a statutory consultee on planning. The Government has published more details.
Neighbourhood Plans and altering Green Belt boundaries
CIL Exemptions Self-Build Part 2 – Leniency where delays are outside of the occupants’ control
Speed of validation – Indicators, targets and key performance indicators
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