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Iain Downer
3 days ago3 min read
Changes to the Standard Method: What It Means for Local Authorities
The government has introduced a revised formula for assessing local housing need (LHN), altering the standard method used by councils to...
10


Matt Taylor
Oct 20, 20223 min read
What is being done to improve the performance of local planning authorities?
As I approach my 20th year as a Town Planner, operating in both Local Government and Private Practice, it is interesting to see various...
1420


Iain Downer
Oct 12, 20222 min read
Round-up of recent planning approvals
Uffington Barn Prior approval granted for the conversion of a disused Dutch barn to form a single dwelling following a previous refusal...
6730

Iain Downer
Oct 12, 20224 min read
Class Q appeal allowed despite 4 refusals for same proposal
In March this year, I submitted an appeal against the refusal of Malvern Hills District Council to grant prior approval for the...
2,2570


Iain Downer
Aug 16, 20224 min read
New dwelling approved in Grade II Registered Park & Garden as fallback overcomes policy conflict
Uttlesford District Council have approved our application for a new dwelling in the heart of the Shortgrove estate in Saffron Walden...
3140

Iain Downer
Jun 9, 20224 min read
North Kesteven Planning Committee gives significant weight to Class Q fallback in 'unique case'
Despite difficulty grappling with the concept of the fallback position, the North Kesteven Planning Committee resolved to approve our...
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Iain Downer
Mar 21, 20223 min read
Round-up of recent decisions
Rutland | Erection of 1 No. 3 storey dwelling with associated driveway, parking and garage with first floor habitable space...
3860


Iain Downer
Mar 21, 20222 min read
Benefits of removing kennels justifies housing in Green Belt
Our redevelopment of a rescue kennels in the Nottinghamshire green belt to five houses won the approval of an Inspector who found 'very...
1420

Mary Bean
Feb 14, 20222 min read
Planning Your World
A website has been recently launched by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) to allow the general public to gain an understanding of...
170

Mary Bean
Feb 8, 20223 min read
The 2021 Housing Delivery Test: Has your council lost its planning powers?
The 2021 Housing Delivery Tests (HDT) results were published last month, revealing the 51 councils facing the strictest planning penalty...
3580

Iain Downer
Jan 18, 20224 min read
Round-up of recent planning approvals
Rutland | Erection of 4 No. residential two-storey dwellings (2020/0706/FUL) The site is located in the charming village of Great...
3800


Mary Bean
Jan 13, 20222 min read
Reducing carbon emissions and increasing sustainability in planning
If you, like many, are interested in helping towards the reduction in climate change but are baffled by what to do after all the...
260


Mary Bean
Jan 13, 20222 min read
The Benefits of Mixed-Use Developments
In recent years, the response of the planning system has been to understand and recognise the unsuitability of new estates today that...
1010


Mary Bean
Oct 29, 20213 min read
The key points from the Conservative Conference
Controversial comments were made in the Conservative Conference this month, including the likes of the abolition of the Planning...
710

Mary Bean
Sep 22, 20213 min read
Extension to Class Q conversion approved despite Parish Council objection and removal of PD rights
Our application for a single-storey rear extension to a dwelling—which was granted approval under Class Q—has been approved by West...
1,4090

Iain Downer
Sep 15, 20212 min read
Change of use of agricultural building to a residential annex approved by Blaby District Council
Full planning permission was granted by Blaby District Council for the change of use of a redundant agricultural building to form...
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Iain Downer
Sep 9, 20213 min read
The 56-day rule and the dangers of ‘Deemed Consent’
In the normal course of events, permitted development requiring prior approval under Class Q can be begun upon the receipt by the...
3,3920


Iain Downer
Aug 30, 20214 min read
Rutland approve fifth Class Q conversion on piggery site following initial requests for withdrawal
The Rutland application followed the grant of prior approval for the change of use of the neighbouring agricultural buildings which...
2880


Mary Bean
Aug 30, 20212 min read
What does the future hold for the British high street?
The Prime Minister spoke of breathing new life into town centres at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in Coventry, expanding on the...
250


Iain Downer
Aug 27, 20212 min read
Rutland County Council advised to withdraw emerging Local Plan after rejecting £29.4 million funding
Officers at Rutland County Council have recommended to their Members that they withdraw their emerging Local Plan due to it not meeting...
3070
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