Politics of Planning Politics of Planning is our weekly planning update, bringing you the news and analysis you need to plot a successful planning course though fast-changing political waters. subscribe Our Latest Article: The Conservatives and Local Elections: A Closer Look April 30, 2021 Author: Alice Marmara Read More Previous Articles Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Johnny Thalassites Labour, Local Elections and the Emerging Planning White Paper Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr David Coppinger The Liberal Democrats and Local Elections: A Closer Look Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Ken Rhatigan Local elections 2021: what to expect on May 6th Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Toby Savage Minister confirms Oxfordshire councils will lose 5-year land supply exemption Shapps scraps £3.5bn Oxford Cambridge Expressway Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Jackie Porter Jenrick’s coalmine call in signals Government’s changing priorities Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Gareth Roberts Chancellor’s Budget provides tonic for housebuilders Politicians must show vision and foresight to power data centre growth Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Nicola Beech Calls for streets to be given power to control development Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Richard Clewer Jenrick unveils plans to put beauty at the heart of building Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Keith House Jenrick begrudgingly gives go-ahead to London Plan Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr David Renard Review: Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Tim Ball Government threatens to intervene with councils that fail to update Local Plans Government set for a year of confrontation with local authorities Local elections could be postponed for second year running Christmas greetings from the SP Broadway team Jenrick’s ‘mutant algorithm’ revised after Tory backlash Jenrick lobbied by over 2,000 councillors against proposed planning reforms MHCLG announces new consultation on housing delivery and infrastructure Review: Politics of Planning Roundtable with Clive Betts MP Spending Review 2020: Sunak announces billions in support for housebuilding Review: Virtual Politics of Planning roundtable with Cllr Stephen Robinson Planning White Paper – political update from David McFarlane Fears planning legislation will be hit by significant delays Review: Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Tony Page Priti Patel becomes latest Minister accused of hypocrisy as she objects to homes in constituency Review: Politics of Planning Roundtable with Peter Taylor Gove opposes housing proposal in his constituency despite Govt push to ‘build, build, build’ Review: Virtual Politics of Planning roundtable with Cllr Bridget Smith Housing Minister Chris Pincher leads planning reform roundtables Review: Virtual Politics of Planning roundtable with Cllr Chris Hossack Christopher Pincher goes in to bat for planning reform High profile MPs take to Commons to raise concerns over proposed housing algorithm Review: Virtual Politics of Planning roundtable with Cllr Linda Haysey Special Edition: Party Conference Season Round Up Review: virtual Politics of Planning roundtable with Cllr Joe Harris Labour fail to stop Permitted Development changes in Commons Robert Jenrick announces next steps to put beauty and design at the heart of the planning system Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Graham Butland MHCLG releases Green Belt stats for 2019-2020 Permitted development rights reform under fire Housing Minister forced to clarify housing algorithm after fury from councils New housing algorithm comes under fire, plunging Tories into further conflict over planning reform Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Nick Prescot Could planning reforms spark backbench rebellion? John Howell MP talks the Government’s proposed planning reforms Jenrick unveils long-awaited Planning White Paper Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Mark Ingall District Councils’ Network raise concerns over housing targets New planning law to ‘cut unnecessary bureaucracy’ says Jenrick Greater move towards unitary authorities planned by Government Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Peter Marland Chancellor unveils more boosts for housing sector Boris says, ‘build build build’! Planning White Paper to be published ‘soon’ says Pincher Jenrick and Pincher tackle questions on the London Green Belt and town regeneration at MHCLG questions Review: Virtual Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr James Swindlehurst ‘Time to re-think planning from first principles’ says embattled Jenrick Planning reform key part of Great Recovery Bill Robert Jenrick faces calls for inquiry over handling of £1bn Isle of Dogs scheme Planning Inspectorate judges two new garden villages to be ‘unsound’ PM to reveal plans to ease lockdown, offering hope to housebuilders Jenrick approves 500 home scheme on Green Belt Coronavirus prompts Government to consider extending Help to Buy Starmer selects his top team Housing Secretary takes centre stage in Government Coronavirus Communications New figures reveal missed housing targets Coronavirus update: Bank of England and Chancellor in rescue-mode Review: Politics of Planning Roundtable with Cllr Alan Jarrett Jenrick previews Planning White Paper in Commons Jenrick probed on Green Belt and affordable housing in Commons New Homes Ombudsman to monitor build quality Christopher Pincher named new Housing Minister Govt expected to “take the toughest decisions” on planning shortly Better Building Through Beauty? £8 million boost for new homes plans Secretary of State gives Local Plan ultimatum Boris mulls planning reforms in the New Year What to expect in the new Parliament Labour and Conservatives announce new housing policies Understanding the Liberal Democrat Manifesto Understanding the Labour Manifesto Understanding the Conservative Manifesto Design takes centre stage as Secretary of State puts developers on notice What next for the Green Belt? Secretary of State suspends South Oxfordshire’s Local Plan Process Secretary of State announces new policies at Conservative Party Conference Review: Cty Cllr Ian Hudspeth Politics of Planning lunch Time up for Permitted Development? Secretary of State sets out his stall New MHCLG team take their places… but is an election around the corner? Review: Cllr Shama Tatler Politics of Planning Roundtable Redevelop out-of-town retail centres, says Government Commission Housing Secretary opens door to planning fee rise SP Broadway welcomes Liberal Democrat Lord Goddard to the team Housing Minister calls for “long-term planning” as Conservative leadership race enters final stages Review: Cllr Ian Ward Politics of Planning Roundtable ‘Land for the Many’: Labour Party publish new land proposals Tory Leadership Contest: Candidates On Planning Review: Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE Politics of Planning Roundtable Sadiq Khan: Record numbers of affordable homes started in London Local elections 2019 preview John Healey: Labour can fix the housing crisis CPRE: England has room for 1 million brownfield homes Spring Statement: Chancellor pledges more money for housing Brokenshire: Don’t “talk down” housing market before Brexit Housing minister defends Government housing record Rosewell Review: Planning appeal process could be reduced by 5 months SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Cllr David Williams, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council 300,000 new homes per year unachievable, says NAO Housing Secretary announces £500 million affordable homes boost SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council SP Broadway attends breakfast meeting with James Murray, London Deputy Mayor SP Broadway attends reception with Steve Quartermain, Chief Planner Housing Minister calls for “more, better, faster” to counter gloomy forecasts Government confirms support for developer contributions Hammond: Planning system could cause post-Brexit chaos at Dover Politics of Planning Christmas lunch with guest speaker Nick Raynsford Labour criticises Homes England affordable homes figures Raynsford Review of planning published Secretary of State announces homebuilding increase James Brokenshire announces ‘Building Better, Building Beautiful’ Commission Letwin Review: Report recommends planning rules overhaul Sadiq Khan offers £10 million for councils to boost housebuilding SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Cllr Tony Dignum, Leader of Chichester District Council SP Broadway report from the Conservative Party Conference Labour Party launches ‘Planning Commission’ Tories announce London mayoral candidate Mayor of London clashes with Tory Borough…again Theresa May announces major rethink on social housing policy Small housebuilders to benefit from new Government funding SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Guildford Borough Council Cabinet members Government considers phasing out Help to Buy between 2021 and 2023 Conservative Brexit heavyweights weigh into housing debate Green Belt development debate heats up Revised NPPF published by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Lords: Housebuilders must increase ‘prefab’ capability Another Cabinet Reshuffle, another new Minister for Housing SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Shadow Planning Minister, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods MP Communities Secretary: Councils to have ‘big role’ in housing Letwin: “War spirit” needed to address housing shortage Secretary of State backs calls for better designed homes SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Leader of Slough Borough Council, Cllr James Swindlehurst Labour MP calls for homes on Green Belt ‘wasteland’ New Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Cllr Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council Sajid Javid: “I want to build more beautiful houses” Labour launches Green Paper – ‘Housing for the Many’ Waverley Borough Council reacts to three Local Plan challenges 1,800 new homes in Waverley Borough consented by the Secretary of State Sajid Javid announces funds to unlock new homes across England SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Cllr Simon Dudley, Leader of Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council Prime Minister announces planning policy overhaul Local authority calls-in Her Majesty’s green plans for Balmoral Local elections: Affordable housing is public’s second highest priority Local elections 2018: Young adult home ownership collapse could play significant role SP Broadway hosts Politics of Planning Breakfast with Cllr Peter Lamb, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Labour plans reduced-price compulsory purchases Cabinet Reshuffle: Dominic Raab is new Minister for Housing Tories set to lose control of London Boroughs Mayor Sadiq Khan blocks estate regeneration over social housing Season’s greetings from SP Broadway! Sadiq Khan unveils draft London Plan Housing chiefs tell Treasury the Budget will not fix crisis Politics of Planning dinner discussion with Steve Norris Housing and planning forms cornerstone of Budget 2017 Chancellor under pressure to increase housebuilding funds Politics of Planning Roundtable with Robert Courts MP Labour push for more state housebuilding BBC produces UK land use tool Housing Minister questioned by CLG Select Committee Sajid Javid addresses National Association of Local Councils Conference Clive Betts MP, CLG Committee Chair – Politics of Planning Roundtable Philip Hammond under pressure as Budget looms Theresa May hosts housing summit at 10 Downing Street Theresa May unveils social housing shakeup Housing high on agenda at Labour Party Conference Sajid Javid announces major housing need shakeup Alok Sharma defends DCLG record in first public speech DCLG reports highest housebuilding figures since recession Campaigners call for land reform to address housing crisis Sadiq Khan: developers must build affordable homes or else publish their finances MP speaks out over Planning Inspector’s decision on Neighbourhood Plan Sadiq Khan aims to make London the world’s first ‘National Park City’ Uncertainty persists after housing needs consultation delay Government to ban leasehold for new houses Labour attacks public open space provision in new developments Crossrail 2 back on the agenda Backbench Conservative MPs push to strengthen neighbourhood planning Plans for a new housing push in the South East imminent Minister promises 23,000 homes in new towns Sadiq Khan launches new affordable housing fund Clive Betts re-elected as Chairman of Communities Select Committee Government to launch consultation on local plan housing assessments Housing Infrastructure Fund opens Government re-commits to 400,000 affordable homes pledge The Queen’s Speech: The government reaffirms its commitment to February’s White Paper Sixty-eight Grenfell Tower families to be given homes in luxury complex After the shock General Election result, what now for housing and planning? Alok Sharma MP appointed Housing and Planning Minister SP Broadway roundtable with James Murray, London’s Deputy Mayor for Housing Labour publishes housing policy document just before polling day General Election: SP Broadway predictions UKIP re-commits to referenda on planning decisions Conservative Manifesto: Planning and development pledges Liberal Democrats drop pledge to protect the Green Belt Labour proposals for planning and development published Call for Councils to reduce Local Plan housing numbers Local Elections – hundreds of new Conservative councillors elected Commons Select Committee calls for housing market reform Neighbourhood Planning Bill receives Royal Assent Cross-party push for Crossrail 2 Election update: Labour argues that its councils build the most homes The General Election – effect on planning policy from Westminster The General Election – effect on politics on the ground Sajid Javid concerned about quality of new-build homes DCLG confirms that it will introduce permission in principle for brownfield Labour calls for Help to Buy reform Roundtable discussion with the Leader-elect of Waltham Forest Borough Council Westminster building height consultation launched Gavin Barwell strikes pro-development note at MIPIM Local authorities to be given new compulsory purchase powers Sadiq Khan signals support for high-density schemes Home ownership dips again Gavin Barwell addresses the Campaign to Protect Rural England Budget 2017: Focus shifts from housing policy Neighbourhood Planning Bill amended in Lords Sadiq Khan warns of Brexit impact on construction industry New report calls for land market reform 91% of government land intended for housing not yet sold Sadiq Khan mounts new push for Crossrail 2 Housing White Paper: SP Broadway Discussion Housing White Paper: Reaction and analysis Housing White Paper: Wider measures Housing White Paper: Measures to boost housing land supply Councils could be offered new incentive to release land for housing Poll suggests rising support for housebuilding New infrastructure funding announced for London and the South East Housing White Paper: ‘A system capable of delivering 250,000 homes a year’ The Government’s Post-Brexit Industrial Strategy: planning implications New calls for London devolution Brexit to mean reduced immigration – what does it mean for housing? Labour attack Government’s ‘hot air’ on housing Cllr Stephen Alambritis, Leader of Merton Council: Politics of Planning Roundtable Savid Javid prepares for stormy reception to Housing White Paper Mixed reaction to Garden Villages plans Local authorities weigh up cost of New Homes Bonus cut 30 local authorities to prioritise starter homes Funding for new Garden Villages announced Further delays to Housing White Paper Applicants to have 10 days to dispute planning conditions Government adds weight to neighbourhood plan housing policies National Estate Regeneration Strategy published Green belt reform – on the agenda in the New Year? Sadiq Khan sets out new affordable housing strategy Sajid Javid: “We need more houses” Autumn Statement sees more funding directed at housebuilding Sajid Javid sketches out a quid-pro-quo approach for housebuilders Gloucestershire town welcomes greenfield development Government announces new fund to speed up housebuilding on large sites Is the Government going to miss its 200,000 homes a year target? Redfern Review calls for new measures to boost home ownership Sajid Javid attacks large housebuilders Housing White Paper expected on 23 November Government calls for evidence on basement planning applications Housing White Paper to include measures to increase densities Government defends proposed local plan role for county councils Sadiq Khan criticises predecessor’s housing record Government clarifies plans to reform planning conditions Heathrow decision overshadows London strategy document Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council: Politics of Planning Roundtable County councils to be directed to make Local Plans (where needed) Further hints given about content of Housing White Paper Mixed signals on impact of Brexit on housebuilding Upcoming Housing White Paper to be ‘radical’ Neighbourhood Planning Bill read for a second time in Parliament Labour returns to the attack on housing Conservative Party Conference: New Housing White Paper on the way Conservative Party Conference: Minor policy announcements London’s Deputy Mayor for Housing gives policy update Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme scrapped by the Government Labour promises council house building programme Sadiq Khan launches inquiry into overseas investment in London property Housing Minister confirms policy shift The return of the Liberal Democrat councillor? Planning permissions continue to increase Is the Government changing its strategy on housing? Neighbourhood Planning Bill introduced to Parliament Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council: Politics of Planning Roundtable Action plan for house-building announced House of Commons Select Committee attacks starter homes Brexit – how has planning and development fared so far? Housing Minister attacked for opposing development Increase in number of new home starts Sadiq Khan recruits his ‘Homes for Londoners’ team Sajid Javid puts housing at the top of his to-do list Neighbourhood planning champion highlights policy problems Labour leadership candidate pledges 300,000 homes a year Government considers Community Infrastructure Levy payments for individual households Sajid Javid implies policy continuity with early call-in decisions New Mayors to shape planning in the North and Midlands Fall in number of Local Plans being submitted for examination Is Sadiq Khan changing tack on affordable housing after Brexit? 300,000 new homes a year for England? Government presses ahead on large infrastructure projects Report argues for Green Belt release for Garden Cities Lending boosts home ownership figures The new DCLG team Profile: Gavin Barwell MP, Minister for Housing and Planning Cllr Alan Smith, Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration at Lewisham Council: Politics of Planning Roundtable Sajid Javid MP appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Prime Minister Theresa May– what does this mean for planning? Brexit – emerging positives and negatives for development What now for Labour’s housing policy? House of Commons Committee to investigate housebuilding capacity Brexit – what now for planning? Jules Pipe appointed as London’s Deputy Mayor for Planning Government releases Help to Buy figures House-building under fire in EU referendum debate Planning permissions on the up – perhaps DCLG ‘looking forward’ to working with Sadiq Khan New report calls for less building in flood risk areas Sadiq Khan turns his fire on office-to-resi and viability House of Commons seeks further information on starter homes Government launches drive to create new neighbourhood plans Mayoral Commission suggests London Green Belt Review John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets: Politics of Planning Roundtable Housing starts fall in 2016 Sadiq Khan sets out his housing policies Shadow Housing and Planning Minister Roberta Blackman-Woods MP: Politics of Planning Roundtable Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill announced Sadiq lays into Boris’s housing policies Government flags up housing record Report looks to planning policy to help tackle poverty Affordable homes exemption for small sites returns A new Planning Bill? More social housing stock expected to be sold for private sector redevelopment DCLG figures shows private rental sector growing Parliamentary battle over Housing and Planning Bill intensifies 2016 elections briefing: Scottish and Welsh elections 2016 elections briefing: London mayoral election 2016 elections briefing: Local authority elections in England (outside London) Concerns about green belt building raised again Brandon Lewis calls for more brownfield sites Lords insert community right to appeal into Housing and Planning Bill DCLG calls for rail station development bids Neighbourhood planning runs into trouble Government suffers setback to starter homes plans Assessing Boris’s housing legacy Labour asks developers to contribute to housing policy formulation DCLG reviews Local Plan making Zac Goldsmith announces housing manifesto Ministry of Defence releases new sites for homes Government announces starter homes requirement New permitted development rights introduced Budget 2016: Other housing and planning policies Budget 2016: George Osborne commits to ‘garden villages’ Construction skills shortages under the spotlight at PMQs Release of green belt land recommended for Crossrail 2 Planning permissions on the up Croydon Council Leader Cllr Tony Newman: Politics of Planning Roundtable Brownfield isn’t enough says housing charity Lords press for infrastructure commitments on starter homes Sadiq Khan focuses on housing as Mayoral campaign gathers pace Brandon Lewis encourages local authorities to promote smaller sites Has housing delivery turned a corner? Has Help to Buy increased housing supply? Consultation launched on building upwards in London Major planning changes published Panel meets to guide estates regeneration Government looks to loosen rural planning rules The unexpected return of the Lyons Review John Howell MP and Cllr Kevin Davis: Politics of Planning Roundtable New review into boosting home ownership London Help to Buy launched New tranche of public sector housing sites announced Debate over ‘land banking’ continues Devolution Act opens up possibility of more localised development policies Consents in London fall, Zac Goldsmith commits to action Poll suggests 90% of people opposed to development Changes to the Community Infrastructure Levy expected Labour attacks changes to affordable housing provision Housing & Planning Bill passed – with hint about further changes Private sector to help regenerate inner city estates Debate on the Housing and Planning Bill: A tale of two amendments Support for smaller housebuilders – and the forward march of starter homes continues Government consults on reductions to New Homes Bonus payments Osborne oversees green belt change No decision on Heathrow expansion till summer 2016 Further funding for garden settlements SP Broadway’s Politics of Planning dinner with Steve Norris Brandon Lewis: Londoners must decide if they can afford to stay Government vows to cut red tape around housebuilding George Osborne: We are the builders CPRE: Housing targets are ‘based on made up numbers’ DCLG figures show housing builds up 25% on last year Brandon Lewis: Affordable homes to buy, not just to rent House of Commons Library briefing on the Housing and Planning Bill Councils told to respond ‘pragmatically’ to Section 106 renegotiation requests Greg Clark: “A plan for more homes and more homeowners” Government claims that neighbourhood plans are driving up housebuilding Labour: “This Bill is the Chancellor’s work, with his political fingerprints all over it” Boris Johnson explores new planning protections for London’s cultural hubs Labour attacks Housing and Planning Bill Government to deliver new planning route to housing consent Transport for London announces new land sales DCLG minister Marcus Jones MP tells councils to go for growth Zac Goldsmith lays out his housing offer Office-to-resi extended Local plan deadline introduced Starter Homes boosted Planning permission in principle for brownfield sites DCLG panel calls for evidence on Local Plan-making David Cameron’s “national crusade to get homes built” George Osborne: “we are the builders” Pete Redfern to lead Labour housing review London mayoral candidates promise planning changes Increase in land being taken out of the green belt No change in the proportion of application consents Shadow Housing Minister sets out housing priorities Government hints at future housing plans Housing: Labour’s no.1 priority New panel announced to streamline local plan making SP Broadway roundtable with senior Government advisor Affordable housing for London debated in Parliament Brandon Lewis calls for more public-private joint ventures David Cameron confirms further public land sales The planning system is speeding up – but for how long? New rules on traveller sites show renewed committment to green belt Osborne turns his sights on rural housing Views on the green belt – are things starting to change? Lewis bullish on private sector-led housebuilding Councils could be bypassed in decisions over fracking Small developments no longer exempt from affordable housing requirements Liz Kendall MP Andy Burnham MP Yvette Cooper MP Jeremy Corbyn MP New London Housing Zones announced Parliamentary group to lobby on housing and development policy New invite for house builders to apply for Government finance Report criticises Section 106 regime Emma Reynolds in Labour devolution call ‘‘Where no Local Plan has been produced by early 2017… we will intervene’’ Rt Hon Nick Raynsford Politics of Planning Roundtable Labour push to embarrass Government on house-building Government housing review looks ahead to 2060 Osborne goes all out for housing numbers: Brownfield sites set for automatic permission Further drop in office-to-residential conversions New questions over council housing land supply figures Brandon Lewis gives further hint of neighbourhood planning reforms New Labour DCLG team go on the attack on new homes Green Belt housing consents up Brandon Lewis speech: Rental, red tape and regeneration New Government: New public land sales Queen’s Speech 2015: Planning impact General Election 2015: Planning Lyons Review recommendations 31-39 (in full) Lyons Review recommendations 21-30 (in full) Planning under Prime Minister Miliband (3) Planning under Prime Minister Miliband (2) Lyons Review recommendations 11-20 (in full) Lyons Review recommendations 1-10 (in full) Planning under Prime Minister Miliband (1) Liberal Democrat manifesto 2015 UKIP manifesto 2015 Green Party manifesto 2015 Labour Party manifesto 2015 Conservative Party manifesto 2015 Labour backbench fight-back against public land sales George Osborne’s Budget: ‘Housing supply to meet demand’ Housebuilding to be at core of Lib Dem manifesto New call for higher-density housing Is opposition to housebuilding really falling? Labour housing plans: ‘‘A much more active role for government’’ 5 million new households to form by 2037 – where will they live? Housebuilding shoots up the election agenda Labour attacks Coalition record on garden cities Neighbourhood Planning bolstered Time to speed up Section 106 agreements? Have your say London’s international investment boom continues – for now Neighbourhood planning – where are we now? Leader outlines vision for Oxfordshire at SP Broadway roundtable ‘The most powerful man in politics’ calls for more new towns Could local authorities be exempted from the appeal process? Labour hints at affordability criteria for redeveloped public sector sites Another week, another brownfield pledge New polling insight into how to build local support for development Jowell leads attack on reduced affordable housing requirements Neighbourhood Plan Working Groups – statutory consultees? Government to release further sites for development
