Belated Happy new year from the team here at WEA Planning!
Planning news:
MCLHG published the draft Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance for consultation. The PPG contains detailed guidance on the qualitative elements of planning applications and inclusive design that many considered had been left out of the draft NPPF. The Draft DPPPG will replace and consolidate four documents: National design guide; Design process and tools planning practice guidance; National Model Design Code part 1; and the National Model Design Code part 2. The consultation runs until 10th March 2026.
City of Westminster adopted the partial review of their local plan. The City Plan 2019-2041 (2026) replaces the City Plan adopted in 2021. Key changes include the retrofit first policy which places emphasis on the importance of reusing existing building stock and will require more justification for proposals involving demolition and replacement.
Both the City of Westminster Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council services remain largely unavailable following a cyber-attack in December 2025 impacting the shared IT systems used by both councils. As a result many online services are unavailable, and a large number of planning applications are unable to be validated and processed.
WEA Planning successes:
Planning permission for a roof terrace in a Wandsworth Conservation Area. WEA Planning secured planning permission accepted to modify a pitched outrigger into a roof terrace. WEA Planning successfully demonstrated the proposed roof terrace would integrate into the existing character of the Conservation Area and would bring no impacts for neighbouring amenity.
Householder permission for a pergola in Islington. WEA Planning have been instructed for several applications for this property. Successfully obtaining the amalgamation of two flats to a single dwelling and a rear infill extension at ground level. Planning permission was granted for a pergola at the rear of the infill extension. WEA Planning successfully argued that the pergola would be an acceptable form of development and create a high-quality family dwelling.
WEA Planning are currently advising more homeowners on the application process for extensions and alterations and would be happy to respond to your query today.