Room 106

In this episode, we’ll be discussing: New guidance from the Planning Inspectorate on artificial intelligence (AI), warning that “improper use” of the technology could result in cost awards against appeal parties, plus other updates on how planners are using AI. A council announcing that it is considering charging developers and householders if they submit invalid planning applications, to reflect...

As of 2026, the UK space industry is a significant and strategic driver of the national economy, contributing over £19 billion in revenue and supporting tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs. Satellite-based services and data underpin roughly 18% of UK GDP, equivalent to approximately £454 billion of the wider economy. And the sector is growing exponentially. But this is just the tip of the icebe...

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing: How an important High Court ruling sets a precedent for planners applying the government’s grey belt test . What the rollout of a Whitehall scheme allowing developers to pay to mitigate pollution means for you . Key planning news, and why it is important, brought to you by the team behind Planning magazine, the leading source of independent intellige...

In this episode, we’ll be discussing:  The government revealing the geography of England’s impending strategic planning system. The approval of controversial redevelopment of London’s Liverpool Street train station.  The High Court clarifying national policy on grey belt land in a judgment upholding an inspector’s consent for a motorway services scheme.  The housing minister making...

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing a recent investigation by Planning into how planning inspectors are responding to a recent national policy change that eases rules around development on brownfield land in the green belt. In particular, it looks at the six most important considerations for inspectors when determining appeals for such proposals. Key planning news, and why it is importa...

This is the seventh edition of our new monthly series examining the key recent appeal and court decisions in which we speak to technical editor David Dewar who compiles  Planning 's   long-running Casebook section.  This month, we will be discussing:  How exceptional circumstances were found for a 112-home development in a national landscape in Surrey;  A controversial ins...

In this episode, we’ll be discussing: The government announcing a series of “emergency” measures designed to increase the uptake of affordable homes secured via section 106 legal agreements; The housing minister removing a city council from planning performance “special measures” designation after almost two years;  And two recent court cases in which landowners who have breached planning rul...

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be taking a look ahead at the government’s planning policy and legislation programme over the next six months – what are the key announcements and measures that we can expect? Among other things, we’ll be talking about measures in the recently-passed Planning and Infrastructure Act, national decision-making policies and impending changes to the plan-making system....

In this episode, we’ll be discussing:  Two councils revealing that their planning services have been hit by cyber-attacks.  The planning minister unveiling fresh details on the government’s new towns programme, including that it will consult on its preferred locations for the proposed settlements in the “coming weeks”.  The same minister telling inspectors and councils that the...

In this deep-dive edition, we’ll be discussing Planning’s latest annual Planning Consultancy Market Report, which takes an in-depth and exclusive look at the planning consultancy market. We'll be examining: The firms with the biggest and fastest-growing planning consultancy teams. The companies with the highest planning fee income and fee rates. And consultants’ thoughts on the state of the job ma...

In this episode, we’ll unsurprisingly be discussing the publication of a new and heavily rewritten draft version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). We’re going to devote almost the whole show to the new framework, which came out just before Christmas, including looking at the very different structure and approach in the draft document as well as proposed changes around densification...

In this episode, we’ll be discussing:  Some well-sourced intelligence on what we can expect from the new National Planning Policy Framework, which was published this week, and discussion of the forthcoming passing of the government’s flagship Planning and Infrastructure Act.  A series of emerging local plans in different parts of the country that have run into trouble with government pla...

In this deep-dive edition, we’ll be discussing an exclusive, in-depth report by Planning on why the government’s drive to digitise planning is yet to make a meaningful impact on services. We’ll also be rounding up the key planning news from the past week to make sure you’re up to speed on all the goings-on in the sector.  Key planning news, and why it is important, brought to you by the...

In this episode, we’ll be discussing: All the planning news from last week’s Budget, including the promise of further funding to boost planning capacity. An important announcement from the housing minister on the future of the legal duty to cooperate for and other impending changes to the local plan system. Key planning news, and why it is important, brought to you by the team behind Planning maga...

In this edition, we’ll be discussing the housing secretary’s announcement of a series of further changes to the planning system, including: Changes to the ministerial application call-in process that would require English councils to tell the housing ministry when they intend to refuse planning applications for schemes of more than 150 homes. Impending changes to the National Planning Policy Frame...

In this deep-dive edition, we’ll be discussing: How the government’s decision to make national development management policies non-statutory will impact plan-making and development management. What the proposed relaxation of London’s affordable housing requirements would mean for practitioners – both inside and outside the capital. Key planning news, and why it is important, brought to you by the...

This is the sixth edition of our new monthly series examining the key recent appeal and court decisions in which we speak to technical editor David Dewar who compiles Planning 's long-running Casebook section.  This month, we will be discussing:  The energy secretary's consent for a large off-shore wind farm in the Irish Sea that took account of the risk of so-called "wake effects";...

In this edition, we’ll be discussing:  A significant announcement on local government reorganisation and what it could mean for planning. A city council taking legal action against three developers whom it says collectively owe it almost £1 million in unpaid section 106 contributions. The launch of a £10 million government tender for the creation of a new “planning tool” to enable “AI-augment...

In this deep-dive edition, we’ll be discussing an exclusive  Planning report into England’s 30 biggest and busiest local planning authorities — who are these councils and what are the key findings into their staffing and activity levels? Key planning news, and why it is important, brought to you by the team behind  Planning  magazine, the leading source of independent intelligence f...

In this edition, we’ll be discussing:  The Supreme Court overturning a Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the refusal on nutrient pollution grounds of a developer’s bid to discharge conditions relating to a 650-home scheme. The housing ministry and the mayor of London announcing an “emergency” package of measures aiming to boost housebuilding in the capital that includes a relaxation of affor...

In this edition, we’ll be discussing:  An important letter from housing minister Matthew Pennycook to the Planning Inspectorate in which he gives advice to inspectors examining local plans with a particular focus on green belt reviews. The government publishing a series of amendments to its flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill.  And the announcement of a deal between two government...

In this deep-dive edition, we’ll be we’ll be taking a look at: How a court ruling confirms the difficulty for councils in using green belt openness as a way to resist development. And our exclusive research on the local authorities we predict will have weakened planning protections after the next housing delivery test results. We’ll also be rounding up the key planning news from the past week...

This is the fifth edition of our new monthly series examining the key appeal and court decisions from the past four weeks. As before, we speak to technical editor David Dewar, who compiles the long-running Casebook section of  Planning .  This month, we will be discussing:  How inspectors are assessing industrial schemes and the importance of local need. An appeal case that shows ho...

In this edition, we’ll be discussing:  The planning highlights from last week’s Labour Party Conference. A government inspector announcing that a joint local plan in a key growth area of the country has failed a legal duty. And three big planning decisions by the housing minister.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deep-dive edition, we’ll be taking a look ahead at:  The government responding to the initial findings of its New Towns Taskforce, which has called for 12 locations to be taken forward. And discussing our exclusive survey on the planning consultancies that allow the most working from home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.