All planning articles
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CommentThe new NPPF – why planning is becoming harder and less predictable
The value of more permissive policies are limited when the system is in flux. We need a system with clear rules and predictable processes, argues Paul Smith
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CommentRigid NPPF rules risk undermining housing delivery
Guidance should be focused more on connectivity rather than ’distance from station’ thresholds, argues Simon Vernon-Harcourt
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In FocusBurnham’s council housing vision, funding frustration and Reform UK disruption: talking points from the Housing Community Summit 2026
Thousands of social housing professionals once again gathered in Liverpool for the Housing Community Summit this week. This year’s conference was dominated by discussion about the new prime minister and how shifts in housing policy direction will affect the sector. Carl Brown and Alex Funk report
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In FocusReform UK conference: Farage scandal overshadows radical planning proposals
An undercover Channel 4 investigation forced two senior Reform UK figures to resign during the party’s Birmingham conference, deepening questions about its electoral prospects. But the party’s radical brownfield planning proposals still have significant appeal in the housing development and construction sectors
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NewsReform UK unveils plans to cut affordable housing requirements to 5% on brownfield land
Party also wants to scrap BNG requirements, landfill tax, Section 106 payments and most building standards on brownfield housing schemes
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CommentThe planning system needs to take viability more seriously
Residential development is unviable in nearly half of England. Government must either reduce build costs by removing regulation or subsidise development from the public purse, argues Paul Smith
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NewsHousing bodies hail government backing for new sector-developed section 106 guidance
Guidance drawn up by housebuilders, councils and housing associations aims to make process for affordable home acquisitions smoother
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CommentWe cannot plan for 1.5 million homes without planning for water
Water scarcity should be a catalyst for better infrastructure planning, not another barrier to delivery, argues Lisa Cook
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NewsLandsec’s long-stalled plans for 1,800 homes approved after halving affordable housing
Changes to O2 shopping centre regeneration in North London include increased building heights and additional homes
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CommentSection 106 in 2026: why the hardest part of a permission now happens after committee
The system requires more realism, clarity and flexibility, argues Francis Truss
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NewsInvestor Henley’s 78-storey Salford tower scheme forced to return to committee after conflict ruling
Plans for UK’s tallest tower outside London were approved last November
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NewsPlans submitted for 53-storey Birmingham tower
700-home scheme next to Curzon Street station could be tallest building in the city
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CommentThe government is right to be more interventionist on planning
Governments have tried assuming every council will plan maturely and conscientiously. But this hasn’t worked so Matthew Pennycook’s more robust approach is needed, writes Paul Smith.
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CommentWill Burnham’s ‘Manchesterism’ be a lifeline for housebuilding?
The next prime minister must resist the temptation to unpick everyhting and instead build on existing progress, writes Ben Derbyshire
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NewsGovernment introduces AI tools in bid to slash council planning decision times
New AI prototype being piloted by three councils designed to halve decision times on home improvements
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CommentPlanning application fees should only go up if the process improves also
Simply charging more for a broken system doesn’t fix it. Here’s what ministers should do instead to improve planning, writes Paul Smith
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NewsPlanning inspector rejects 800-home Berkeley scheme over heritage harms
But concerns over affordable provision waved away
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NewsGreen light for first phase of Vistry and LLDC’s Pudding Mill Lane scheme
Vistry scheme will see five blocks up to 17 storeys built at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
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CommentThe ‘missed middle’ of medium-density housing could unlock delivery
Medium density is often overlooked but it has untapped potential, argues Katja Stille
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CommentAn extension of cash in lieu of affordable housing could unlock sites but it must be used carefully
The draft NPPF proposes making it easier to use off-site sums instead of providing on-site affordable homes on medium-sized sites. Chris Green weighs up the pros and cons