Planning news:
200 young planners descended on London for the 2025 Young Planners Conference 5-6th September – read our top takeaways from the conference.
Labour appoints new housing secretary Steve Reed, MP for Streatham and Croydon North. He has made a stir announcing his new catch phrase at the Labour Conference to drive building across Britain. Reed has also published a Pride in Place Strategy to invest in communities across the country.
RTPI launched their rebrand 8th September, the new look is designed to reflect the voices of RTPI members and aid accessibility and professionalism across the sector.
Home Builders Federation 'Mind the Gap' report shows London’s housing shortfall and concerns for meeting Labour’s increased targets.
Updates to the PPG flood risk and sequential test to account for the impact of drainage improvements as part of the proposal and non-major residential schemes would only need to do a sequential test for sites in the specific area. The PPG revision has also introduced a definition for the ‘area of search’ for sites and ‘reasonably available’ sites, as well as clarifying that the absence of a 5 years housing land supply is not a relevant consideration in applying the sequential test, but may still be relevant in the determination.
DCO granted for Gatwick runway after it was found to be compatible with wider net zero targets.
The New Towns Taskforce report detailed 12 possible New Towns locations. Although the scope and definition of a ‘town’ seems to have diminished with several regeneration schemes and urban extensions forming the programme.
WEA Planning successes:
LB Harrow Planning approval for demolition and rebuild on a prestigious plot in Stanmore following previous refusal. WEA Planning worked with the client to create a strategy and revised design following a rejection by planning committee . The new design creates a contemporary family dwelling that proved a better fit for both the client and the local neighbourhood and was approved by delegated decision.
Certificate of lawfulness issued in LB Barnet for an existing roof extension achieved through permitted development, giving peace of mind to a client looking to re-finance.
Secured permission for an outbuilding in LB Enfield as part of a wider development of renovations onsite.
Prior approval granted for a large rear extension through permitted development in Brentwood.
Other things we’ve enjoyed this month:
For 2 weeks every September Open House Festival opens the doors of diverse projects across the city, from public buildings to private houses, allotments and places of worship. The team explored different architectural projects across the capital, taking in new views of London landmarks in Central London and community-led housing in South East London.
12 Church Grove, SE13 7UU, RUSS (Rural Urban Synthesis Society), photo: Emily Tanzini-Hale