Have We Got Planning News For You

HWGPNFY
  • 0.0 (0)
  • News Commentary
  • Semimonthly

Have We Got Planning News for You is a light-hearted review of the last two weeks developments by seven barristers from across the Planning Bar: Paul Tucker KC, Thea Osmund-Smith, Victoria Hutton, Charles Banner KC, Christopher Young KC, Melissa Murphy KC and John Litton KC. We invite a special guest from the most influential ranks of the Planning World, and we host a special topic every two weeks from Garden Cities to Planning Reform. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the panellists.

  1. 5d ago

    Chris Williamson, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (S20 E4)

    Our Special Guest this week is Chris Williamson, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Chris co-founded Architecture firm Weston Williamson + Partners in 1985 and has been involved with projects including HS2, the Melbourne Metro Tunnel and also various Transport for London schemes. Chris is the current President of the Royal Institute of British Architects and is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Latest News Update on planning related matters. An Appeal Decision regarding residential development of up to 40 dwellings and associated infrastructure on Land North of Pampisford Road, Great Abington in Cambridge. Some of the issues in the appeal were whether the site represents an appropriate location for the proposed dwellings, having regard to access to services and facilities. An Appeal Decision for mixed-use commercial units featuring use class E (g) and/or B8 with associated access off Garstang Road in Bilsborrow, Lancashire. The main issues were the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area. An Appeal Decision for 115 dwellings (including 40% affordable housing), a public house, employment units, public open space; installation of sustainable urban drainage system; pumping station, local play areas, soft and hard landscaping, landscape buffer and associated works on Land to the East of Bere Hill, Whitchurch. An Appeal Decision for a mixed use development comprising of up to 635 residential dwellings, a primary school, sport and recreation facilities and associated infrastructure on Land Northwest of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. The main issue was the acceptability of the proposed affordable housing cascade mechanism having regard to Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 compliance. And finally an Update on the World of Local Plans. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

  2. Oct 15

    Following to the Letter: Graham Stallwood, Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate (S20 E3)

    In this episode, we are joined by Graham Stallwood FRTPI FRSA, Chief Executive at the Planning Inspectorate. We also talk to him about the letter received from Matthew Pennycook MP. Graham will be interviewed by Melissa Murphy KC. Latest News Update on planning related matters. An Appeal Decision for up to 150 dwellings, with associated works, parking, landscaping, publicly accessible open space, land for education or community use on Land South of Green Road, Wivelsfield Green in East Sussex. A Decision of the High Court where the claimant, The Old Chiswick Protection Society sought to challenge a decision of the London Borough of Houndslow to grant planning permission for new development at 1 Burlington Lane. A Court of Appeal Decision in Northern Ireland involving the first phase of the A5 Western Transport Corridor dual carriageway upgrade scheme. The route links Derry and Aughnacloy and was promoted on grounds including road safety and regional connectivity. A Decision of the High Court regarding a discontinuance notice issued by the London borough of Hackney against King Media Limited. The notice concerned an illuminated mesh shroud advertisement measuring 10m x 10m on the elevation fronting 1 Great Eastern Street. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

  3. Oct 1

    “Your First Home”: What, When, How & Why with David O'Leary, Executive Director of the HBF (S20 E2)

    Our Special Guest this week is David O'Leary, Executive Director of the Home Builders Federation. David oversees policy and external relations, including leading on engagement with government. He joined HBF in 2013 and became a Board member in 2023. David is going to be talking about the new Government scheme “Your First Home”, including details we know so far, what it’s aiming to do, and how it might help the industry. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Decision of the High Court against the refusal by Cherwell District Council of its application for planning permission for the development into business premises of agricultural land east of Junction 11 of the M40 and southwest of Huscote Farm, Banbury, Oxfordshire. Outline planning application for the construction of up to 140,000sqm of employment floorspace complete with offices and internal roads. An Appeal Decision for the erection of up to 249 dwellings, including means of access into the site (not internal roads) from Spring Hill, with all other matters (relating to appearance, landscaping, scale and layout) reserved on Land to the North of Spring Hill, Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor. An Appeal Decision for development of up to 600 dwellings, up to 60 units of elderly accommodation, a mixed-use local centre, first school, informal and formal open space, associated works and infrastructure including a new access from the A507 and bridges over the A10 in Buntingford. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

  4. Aug 18

    The New National Planning Policy Framework, August 2026 (S20 E1)

    The New National Planning Policy Framework has been released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. In this timely special, the Have We Got Planning News For You team looks through all the details and key changes within the framework and provides their thoughts on what they mean for the planning sector. Have We Got Planning News for You is a light-hearted review of the week's latest developments by seven barristers from across the Planning Bar: Paul Tucker KC, Thea Osmund-Smith, Charles Banner KC, Victoria Hutton, Christopher Young KC, Melissa Murphy KC and John Litton KC. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the panellists. Visit our website for further resources: ⁠hwgpnfy.com⁠ #HWGPNFY

  5. Jul 16

    Tim Goodwin, Ecologist and Director at Bennu Environmental (S19 E4)

    Our Special Guest this week is Tim Goodwin, Ecologist and Director at Bennu Environmental. Tim is one of the leading ecologists in planning well known to members of the planning bar, planning solicitors and planning consultants. Latest News Update on planning related matters. An Appeal Decision for Land west of the Cemetery, London Road in Maldon. The proposed development was for up to 275 residential units including affordable housing, land for a children’s nursery (Class E), 1.8ha of land for an extension to Maldon Cemetery, drainage works, landscaping, vehicular access to the A414, pedestrian/cycle access to Spital Road and London Road, and associated infrastructure works. A Decision of the High Court regarding a renewable energy park involving an array of solar panels, battery storage and associated infrastructure, to be constructed on a 32.5 hectare site at Whiterails Road, Wootton, on the Isle of Wight. A Decision of the Court of Appeal between North Warwickshire Borough Council and the SoS for Transport. The issue surrounded alterations made to the scheme for a 2.9km spur of the HS2 line running through North Warwickshire BC and that it should run in a tunnel rather than on the embankments and a viaduct following the passing of the 2017 Act. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

  6. Jul 2

    Stephen Kinsella, Managing Director for the MADE Partnership (S19 E3)

    Our Special Guest this week is Stephen Kinsella, Managing Director for the MADE Partnership and also Group Major Projects Director at Barratt Redrow. The MADE Partnership is a master developer and a joint venture between Barratt Redrow PLC, Homes England and Lloyds Banking Group. Previously, Stephen was the Chief Land and Development Officer at Homes England. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Decision of the High Court regarding the use and development of the northern runway at Gatwick Airport to allow for dual runway operations. Currently, the northern runway is only used when the main runway is unavailable and as a parallel taxiway. An Appeal Decision for the development of ground mounted solar photovoltaic array, with associated infrastructure, security fencing, CCTV, associated cable route, private and DNO substations, landscaping and onsite biodiversity net gain at Land at Lower Wyke. An Appeal Decision for the redevelopment of the Former Camelot Theme Park in Charnock Richard, Lancashire. The development proposed is the demolition of existing structures and for a residential development of up to 350 homes, a 186.9 sqm community hub, with associated habitat creation, landscaping, open space, parking, footpaths/cycleways, drainage and other infrastructure. Visit our Website: hwgpnfy.com

  7. Jun 18

    Rebecca Phillips, The UK Government's Chief Planning Inspector (S19 E2)

    We experienced some major connectivity issues this week which has unfortunately resulted in some video problems. We've tried to resolve this as best we can in the final edit and apologise for the inconvenience. Our Special Guest this week is Rebecca Phillips, Chief Planning Inspector at the Planning Inspectorate. Rebecca has held the role on an interim basis since March 2025, during which time she has led work to enhance and systemise inspector learning and development. She has also collaborated closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other stakeholders on significant reforms to the planning system, including the draft new National Planning Policy Framework and new approaches to local and strategic planning. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A High Court Decision between North Somerset District Council and the Secretary of State requesting to allow an appeal by Persimmon Homes to be granted outline planning permission for 190 homes on land at Rectory Farm in Yatton. A High Court Decision involving Thomas Armstrong Aggregates Ltd and the Secretary of State in an application under paragraph 9, Schedule 13 of the Environment Act 1995 (EA 1995). The application concerned a site at High Close Quarry, Plumbland, Cumbria. An Appeal Decision to uphold Thurrock Council’s decision to refuse a request by a housing developer to modify a Section 106 agreement. The developer sought to revise-down education and affordable housing commitments arguing the obligations were impacting on the viability of the scheme. The cases centre of Section 106B of the TCPA 1990 but also raised important procedural issues about the process. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

  8. Jun 4

    Jan Bessell, The 2026 President of the Royal Town Planning Institute (S19 E1)

    Our Special Guest this week is Jan Bessell, the 2026 President of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Currently a Strategic Planning Adviser at Pinsent Masons, she has worked on a range of planning projects, from community-led initiatives and neighbourhood plans to nationally significant infrastructure projects. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Decision of the Court of Appeal involving a proposal to expand Luton Airport to enable an increase in passenger capacity to 32 million passengers per annum and is earmarked as a nationally significant infrastructure project. An Appeal Decision for Land at Snows Ride in Surrey for 154 integrated retirement community units and 33 dwellings together with a general practice surgery, the creation of suitable alternative natural greenspace, landscaping, car parking, access, maintenance workshop, refuse storage and communal facilities. Both an Appeal Decision and a Costs Decision for the Aylesham Centre, Rye Lane in London. The development proposed is for the demolition of existing buildings and phased redevelopment to provide a replacement supermarket and associated service yard and car parking, flexible retail, leisure, and commercial accommodation, dwellings, landscaping and associated works. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

See All (147)

About

Have We Got Planning News for You is a light-hearted review of the last two weeks developments by seven barristers from across the Planning Bar: Paul Tucker KC, Thea Osmund-Smith, Victoria Hutton, Charles Banner KC, Christopher Young KC, Melissa Murphy KC and John Litton KC. We invite a special guest from the most influential ranks of the Planning World, and we host a special topic every two weeks from Garden Cities to Planning Reform. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the panellists.

Information

You Might Also Like