The Planning Life Insights of Bryan - part 1

The Planning Life Insights of Bryan is a podcast looking into the practical things that you need to know to navigate your business through the UK planning system. This episode explores progressing through each stage of the process for obtaining planning permission in the brave new world of Covid-19 and what to do about permissions expiring because of delays to implementation. 

Has public consultation ground to a stone-age halt, are case officers suiting up in hazmat gear  for site visits, are committee meetings being held in bunkers with gas masks and has enforcement for breaches of planning control descended into a Mad Max free-for-all? Far from it.  

We consider the most up-to-date changes to the law and practice, sharing best practice, innovation and common sense from across the development sector on creative public consultation through technology with a human face and maintaining relationships with local planning authorities remotely to progress planning applications from submission to committee, including resolving planning obligations. We also offer thoughts to developers and businesses on the practicalities of what Covid-19 restrictions really means for planning enforcement.

With the real risk that many planning permissions key to reviving the economy will be lost to their expiry dates, whilst the development industry reels from the blow of the Coronavirus, we look at changes to the law being lobbied for by the sector to extend the lives of consents. We also explore what developers can do in the interim whilst in conserve cash mode to bank their hard work and that of local planning authorities in achieving permission for their schemes. 

All of this whilst keeping our kids homeschooled or barricaded out with biscuits and Netflix next door.

This podcast was contributed to by Trainee Solicitor Jemma Green.