The planning system is changing almost continually. In recent times we have seen:
- The introduction of a number of new permitted development rights such as vertical extensions;
- Changes to the Use Class Order; and
- A new property developer levy
This blog will provide our personal thoughts on the ever changing shape of the planning world, moreover give our reaction to planning related news, changes in legislation, recent planning decisions or provide helpful advice and tips.

January 3, 2022
Community engagement – how important is it really?
Community engagement plays an important role in the planning process and can result…
January 3, 2022
Goodbye 2021, hello 2022
What is there to say about 2021 in general, not as bad as 2020 certainly, but still…
November 14, 2021
The environment act 2021, one month on: Biodiversity net gain
The eagerly anticipated Environment Act (“the Act”) received its Royal Assent on…
November 8, 2021
The impact of Covid on our High Streets
Covid-19 has had an impact on our town centres over the last 18 months, resulting…
November 8, 2021
Lessons learnt from Randalls Way – the first BTR scheme in Mole Valley
Whilst there has been much buzz about build to rent (or BTR) in last few years,…
November 8, 2021
Fire safety in planning
Historically, fire safety has always been a matter of Building Regulations (Part…
November 3, 2021
The ever-changing world of work – Office adaptation and the London plan 2021
Covid-19 has had a major impact on the way we work, with many of us swapping desks…
October 28, 2021
COP26 – Embodied Carbon and planning – the London experience
The UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, is taking place in Glasgow between 31st…
October 3, 2021
The death of city living: Fact or fiction?
At the beginning of the first Covid-19 lockdown in the spring of 2020, there was…
September 21, 2021
London plan – 6 months on…
Khan he, khan-t he. After much political wrangling with Robert Jenrick, the London…
September 12, 2021
Are new settlements the answer to the housing crisis?
With the Government seeking to ‘Level up’, ‘Build Back Better’ and ‘Solve the…
August 7, 2021
Assessing BTR progress since 2017
I’d like to take you back to the year 2017, which was labelled by the Telegraph as…
August 1, 2021
Cycle to work
Today, Thursday 5th August, is Cycle to Work Day 2021. I have been regularly…
July 31, 2021
Planning reform on the high street
Our most recent blog post summarised some of the key impacts that Covid-19 has had…
July 11, 2021
New approaches to article 4
This limitation that Article 4 directions should ‘apply to the smallest…