Coronavirus (COVID-19) [Archived]

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As a result of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the government put in place a number of measures, commencing in 2020, to prevent delays in the planning and compulsory purchase processes caused by social distancing

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Latest Planning News

Appropriate assessments and planning committee’s failure to consider relevant information (R (on the application of Dr Rosalind Bradbury) v Brecon Beacons National Park Authority)

Planning analysis: In Bradbury v Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against a decision to grant planning permission for two developments, despite the planning committee’s failure to consider relevant information (specifically, the absence of appropriate assessments and the potential impact of the proposed development on the integrity of the River Wye Special Area of Conservation) on the basis that it was highly likely the committee would have reached the same decision even if this breach had not occurred. (R (on the application of Dr Rosalind Bradbury) v Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park Authority)). Written by Martha Grekos, barrister at Martha Grekos Legal Consultancy.

Bar Council publishes response to Law Commission's consultation on compulsory purchase reform

The Bar Council of England and Wales has published its response to the Law Commission's consultation on reforming compulsory purchase law. The Bar Council broadly supports the Commission's aims to simplify and modernise the system while emphasising that existing protections for affected landowners must be maintained. Key proposals include: unifying implementation procedures, standardising rights acquisition powers, and updating compensation assessment methods. The response focuses primarily on rule of law and access to justice implications, deferring to specialist practitioners on technical aspects.

UKGBC responds to DEFRA consultation on strategic Land Use Framework

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has submitted its response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consultation on the Land Use Framework, which aims to establish England's first strategic approach to land use. The response advocates for mandatory urban greening targets in local plans, including the implementation of a 3:30:300 goal for urban green spaces, integration of blue-green infrastructure, and expansion of urban food growing spaces. UKGBC cites Natural England data showing parks and greenspaces deliver £6.6bn in annual benefits across health, climate and environmental outcomes.

DESNZ launches consultation on revised energy infrastructure National Policy Statements

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on revised National Policy Statements (NPS) for energy infrastructure, running from 24 April to 29 May 2025. The consultation covers updates to three NPSs: the overarching energy statement (EN-1), renewable energy infrastructure (EN-3), and electricity networks infrastructure (EN-5). Key changes include: alignment with Clean Power 2030 targets, new guidance for onshore wind following its reintroduction to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime, requirements for offshore wind wake effects assessment, and endorsement of the Centralised Strategic Network Plan. The statements provide the legal framework for planning decisions on major energy infrastructure in England and Wales.