Have We Got Planning News For You

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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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Mar 27

    John Fingleton and Mustafa Latif-Aramesh on the Nuclear Regulatory Review (S18 E4)

    Our Special Guests this week are John Fingleton and Mustafa Latif-Aramesh. John led an independent taskforce looking into the reform of nuclear regulations in the UK and Mustafa was Lead Author of the Planning Chapter in the review. The Government’s response to the Fingleton Review was published a few days ago. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Court of Appeal Decision concerning a legal challenge to a council’s approval of detailed plans for a housing development of up to 170 homes in Buckinghamshire. The dispute focuses on whether the council was entitled to approve those details when issues around wastewater infrastructure and drainage had not yet been fully resolved. An Appeal Decision regarding a council’s refusal of planning permission for a residential development of 115 homes on a long-disused former sports site in Rugby. The proposal includes demolition of existing structures and the creation of housing, access, landscaping, and associated infrastructure. An Appeal Decision for a proposed extension of Woodford Garden Village in Stockport. Key issues considered include the impact of the development on the character and appearance of the area, as well as matters such as layout, design quality, and how the scheme integrates with its surroundings. An Appeal Decision relating to a proposal to convert buildings at Mount Clare Campus in Roehampton Gate into temporary hostel accommodation for homeless people on the local housing authorities housing lists. The Inspector considered impacts on heritage assets, the suitability and completeness of the site’s development, the mix and quality of accommodation, and the provision of play space and local accessibility. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

  6. Mar 12

    All Things Infrastructure: Paul Reilly, President and Managing Director for WSP UK & Ireland (S18 E3)

    Our Special Guest this week is Paul Reilly, President and Managing Director for WSP UK & Ireland. Paul oversees WSP’s strategic priorities and client delivery across the UK and Ireland, reinforcing the firm’s capabilities in critical growth markets, including infrastructure, environment, water, property, and energy. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Costs Decision for Land North of Bath Road, Corsham. The proposed development is a residential one including 30% affordable housing, up to 1550m2 mixed use hub along with associated infrastructure. An Appeal Decision for Land at the Hill in Littlebourne. The development is an outline planning application for up to 300 residential dwellings, new community hub. This was an appeal made by Gladman Developments against a prior refusal by Canterbury City Council. An Appeal Decision on the site of Greenwich Quay in London. The appeal was made by Tribe Greenwich Quay and Redington Developments against a decision of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The proposed development was the demolition of existing structures and construction of student accommodation and associated works. A High Court Decision between Wiltshire Council and the SoS for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Old Sarum Airfield Ltd. The outline planning application was for the demolition of existing structures and building to be replaced with 315 residential dwellings, a mixture of commercial and leisure facilities and more on the site of Old Sarum Airfield. Visit our Website: hwgpnfy.com

  7. Feb 26

    Ecology Protector: Richard Benwell, Chief Executive at Wildlife & Countryside Link (S18 E2)

    Our Special Guest this week is Richard Benwell, Chief Executive of Wildlife & Countryside Link. He is also a board member of the Broadway Initiative and UK Youth for Nature and Chair of Oxfordshire’s Local Nature Partnership. Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link) is the largest environment and wildlife coalition in England, bringing together 94 organisations to use their strong joint voice for the protection of nature. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Decision of the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero for the Fenwick Solar Farm Project in Doncaster. The development is 536 hectares and when completed will provide grid power to around 75,000 homes. A Decision of the High Court regarding the refusal of planning permission by Lancaster City Council for 24 dwellings and associated development in Cockerham, Lancashire. A Decision of the High Court involving a prior refusal of planning permission by Trafford Borough Council. The development was for the purposes of General Industry, Storage and Distribution on a site west of Manchester Road in Carrington. An Appeal Decision for the construction of up to 200 residential dwellings, open space, landscaping, habitat enhancement, drainage infrastructure and associated works at Highfield Meadows in the market town of Malton, North Yorkshire. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

  8. Feb 12

    When Podcasts Collide: Sam Stafford, Managing Director at the LPDF (S18 E1)

    Our Special Guest this week is Sam Stafford, Managing Director at the Land, Planning and Development Federation and host of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast. Latest News Update on planning related matters since we were last on the air. A Decision of the High Court involving Wrotham Parish Council and the Secretary of State, Moto Hospitality and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. It was a challenge to the decision of the SoS allowing an appeal to grant outline planning permission for a secure 24-hour truck stop facility for up to 197 HGVs incorporating fuel station; amenity building of up to 1100 sqm; creation of new access to A20 via roundabout; landscaping and other associated works. An Appeal Decision for Land west of Brackley in West Northamptonshire for up to 700 residential dwellings, areas of public open space, a rugby pitch, landscaping, allotments, sustainable drainage and associated infrastructure. Two Appeal Decisions made against Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council by Hodson Developments and Chilmington Green Developments regarding outline planning permission for a comprehensive mixed-use development in Great Chart, Ashford. Visit our Website: ⁠⁠hwgpnfy.com

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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.

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