Planning news:
The Draft London Plan (2026) was published for consultation 17 July 2026. The consultation is open until 16 October 2026. The Draft London Plan offers a ‘slimmed down’ spatial strategy for London, aligning with aims of the Draft NPPF. The Draft London Plan identifies areas of green belt for potential development.
MCHLG publish the response to the consultation on planning fees, confirming plans to move to a default national costs schedule designed to establish about 90% costs recovery from the new fee levels. That local planning authorities will be able to set planning fees up to a maximum of 30% above the national default fee, where this is justified by evidence. The changes are anticipated to come into force later this year.
Additional Permitted Development rights for household solar have been announced and will come into effect on 27th August 2026. The updates make it clear that the rights apply to “plug in solar” panels, separate out the provisions that relate to installation of solar on individual dwellings to those that apply to flats; stand alone solar on article 2(3) land and within 5 metres of the boundary require prior approval and have new restrictions, including height limits.
Amendments to Biodiversity Net Gain requirements come into effect from 6th August 2026. These include exemptions for sites below 0.2ha (unless onsite priority habitat is negatively impacted), exemptions for temporary development where land is to be reinstated within a period of 5 years or less (unless onsite priority habitat is negatively impacted), removal of the existing exemption for self and custom build development, and modify the biodiversity gain hierarchy for minor development, small sites which are not exempt from BNG can choose off-site credits in the first instance.
Big changes in No. 10. Many in planning were anticipating the revised NPPF to be released before the parliamentary recess on the 17th July, following the consultation of the Draft NPPF (2025). However, having a new Prime Minister on the 20th July seems to have delayed the framework a little. There is also much speculation on Andy Burnham’s position on Labour’s package of planning reform measures and the high housing targets. Angela Rayner takes over from Steve Reed as Secretary of State for MHCLG.
WEA news:
Planning permission and advertisement consent granted for signage, new boundary treatment, outdoor play space and external alterations for a new nursery site in a Conservation Area in LB Haringey. WEA Planning successfully demonstrated that no permission was required for the nursery use, and the external changes would be appropriate in the Conservation Area and not cause any harm from traffic or noise impacts.
WEA Planning are assisting clients across London to navigate the planning process, please contact us for assistance on your project.