Hot on the heels of the NPPF consultation MHCLG has published a working paper on the introduction of ‘brownfield passports’ to encourage development of brownfield urban land in a way that goes beyond the policy support in the NPPF. This short Insight takes a look at this latest proposal and considers whether it offers something new for developers or whether it is a repurposing of existing tools. 

One of the headline changes proposed by Government in its consultation (which closes on 24 September) on revisions to the NPPF is to Green Belt policy. These proposed changes are worth detailed consideration as they may have significant implications for landowners and those with development interests in land currently allocated as Green Belt. In this insight we take a detailed look at how the proposed new Green Belt NPPF policy would apply in plan making, decision taking and to site assembly and what this means for land values, development viability and CPO compensation.

Reducing the embodied carbon in the built environment has an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change.  However, there is no national planning policy that incorporates such considerations in the planning process. Whilst a policy shift is on the horizon, the recent High Court challenge brought by M&S following the refusal of its Oxford Street store plans brings welcome clarity on where things currently stand for demolition and rebuild proposals.  

The Government’s consultation on the siting of nuclear power stations beyond 2025 reflects the changing nuclear landscape in the UK and proposes a new approach to national planning policy that is more flexible and developer led.  This is potentially exciting for the developers and manufactures of advanced nuclear technologies such as SMRs if the new policy supports scalability and cost efficiencies.  However, whether the proposed changes will provide optimal support warrants careful consideration, as we explain in this Insight.

The news this week that Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) has pulled its proposals for a spherical entertainment venue with external, wrap-around LED-illuminated advertisements in Stratford, is a reminder of the role of call-in within the planning system. This Insight takes a look at that role within the context of a couple of recent high profile examples.