Planning - Updates

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Offices to residential conversion: The details emerge

The Government has amended the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 to make it possible to convert Class B1 office buildings to Class C3 residential dwellings without having to apply for planning permission.

Judicial review: It's about time

At present, an application for a judicial review of a decision made by a public body must be made 'promptly' and within three months of that decision being taken in any event.

Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013

The Growth and Infrastructure Bill finally received Royal Assent on 25 April. Amending existing legislation, it introduces a number of reforms that will affect the planning application process.

Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act: Changes to heritage planning

Significant changes to the law concerning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas are set to be made under the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act, which received Royal Assent on 25 April.

Shoosmiths on Government Procurement Service Legal Services Framework Agreement

Shoosmiths has been appointed to the Government Procurement Service Legal Services framework agreement.

Permitted development rights - office to residential conversion

The Government is introducing a new permitted development right to allow offices to be converted into flats without the need for planning permission.

Where is CIL today?

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) came into effect with regulations in 2010.

Planning and growth: Change, change and more change

On 18 October 2012, the Government published the Growth and Infrastructure Bill, which gives legal effect to a number of the proposals announced in September's written Ministerial Statement on housing and growth.

Planning to eat out?

Many restaurant, bar and pub owners would like outside seating areas, but they must first consider what permissions are necessary to avoid the risk of costly enforcement action.

Private Members Bill threatens practice of 'flipping' pub use to retail

A Private Members Bill proposing changes to permitted development rights received First Reading with all party support on 10 July 2012.

National Planning Policy Framework

The presumption in favour of sustainable development and transitional provisions The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) came into force on 27 March 2012, affecting both local authority plan making and decision taking

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF): A new era for sustainable planning?

As promised in Chancellor George Osborne's 2012 Budget, the Government issued the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), today (27 March)

An unnecessary evil

Developers may risk liability for payment of potentially onerous but unnecessary financial obligations, merely because they enter into Section 106 agreements or undertakings which omit the required exclusion clauses

Another round in the battle which could go by the name of Cala Homes

As Mr Justice Ouseley observed, in Stevenage Borough Council v SoS for CLG [2011] EWHC: '...this is another round in the battle which could go by the name of Cala Homes'

Viability and enabling development

With the UK set for another year of economic uncertainty in 2012, developers and landowners will again be looking for alternative ways to make development viable

Village green time limits

A recent Court of Appeal case - Leeds Group plc v Leeds City Council - highlights the need for landowners to be extra vigilant where unauthorised third party recreational use of their land is concerned

Localism Act 2011

The Localism Act 2011 received Royal Assent on 15 November 2011, with the Government hopeful that the majority of its provisions will be in force by April 2012