Have We Got Planning News For You

Our Special Guest this week is Tim Goodwin, Ecologist and Director at Bennu Environmental. Tim is one of the leading ecologists in planning well known to members of the planning bar, planning solicitors and planning consultants.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

An Appeal Decision for Land west of the Cemetery, London Road in Maldon. The proposed development was for up to 275 residential units including affordable housing, land for a children’s nursery (Class E), 1.8ha of land for an extension to Maldon Cemetery, drainage works, landscaping, vehicular access to the A414, pedestrian/cycle access to Spital Road and London Road, and associated infrastructure works.

A Decision of the High Court regarding a renewable energy park involving an array of solar panels, battery storage and associated infrastructure, to be constructed on a 32.5 hectare site at Whiterails Road, Wootton, on the Isle of Wight.

A Decision of the Court of Appeal between North Warwickshire Borough Council and the SoS for Transport. The issue surrounded alterations made to the scheme for a 2.9km spur of the HS2 line running through North Warwickshire BC and that it should run in a tunnel rather than on the embankments and a viaduct following the passing of the 2017 Act.

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Our Special Guest this week is Stephen Kinsella, Managing Director for the MADE Partnership and also Group Major Projects Director at Barratt Redrow. The MADE Partnership is a master developer and a joint venture between Barratt Redrow PLC, Homes England and Lloyds Banking Group. Previously, Stephen was the Chief Land and Development Officer at Homes England.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

A Decision of the High Court regarding the use and development of the northern runway at Gatwick Airport to allow for dual runway operations. Currently, the northern runway is only used when the main runway is unavailable and as a parallel taxiway.

An Appeal Decision for the development of ground mounted solar photovoltaic array, with associated infrastructure, security fencing, CCTV, associated cable route, private and DNO substations, landscaping and onsite biodiversity net gain at Land at Lower Wyke.

An Appeal Decision for the redevelopment of the Former Camelot Theme Park in Charnock Richard, Lancashire. The development proposed is the demolition of existing structures and for a residential development of up to 350 homes, a 186.9 sqm community hub, with associated habitat creation, landscaping, open space, parking, footpaths/cycleways, drainage and other infrastructure.

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We experienced some major connectivity issues this week which has unfortunately resulted in some video problems. We've tried to resolve this as best we can in the final edit and apologise for the inconvenience.

Our Special Guest this week is Rebecca Phillips, Chief Planning Inspector at the Planning Inspectorate. Rebecca has held the role on an interim basis since March 2025, during which time she has led work to enhance and systemise inspector learning and development. She has also collaborated closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other stakeholders on significant reforms to the planning system, including the draft new National Planning Policy Framework and new approaches to local and strategic planning.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

A High Court Decision between North Somerset District Council and the Secretary of State requesting to allow an appeal by Persimmon Homes to be granted outline planning permission for 190 homes on land at Rectory Farm in Yatton.

A High Court Decision involving Thomas Armstrong Aggregates Ltd and the Secretary of State in an application under paragraph 9, Schedule 13 of the Environment Act 1995 (EA 1995). The application concerned a site at High Close Quarry, Plumbland, Cumbria.

An Appeal Decision to uphold Thurrock Council’s decision to refuse a request by a housing developer to modify a Section 106 agreement. The developer sought to revise-down education and affordable housing commitments arguing the obligations were impacting on the viability of the scheme. The cases centre of Section 106B of the TCPA 1990 but also raised important procedural issues about the process.

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Our Special Guest this week is Jan Bessell, the 2026 President of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Currently a Strategic Planning Adviser at Pinsent Masons, she has worked on a range of planning projects, from community-led initiatives and neighbourhood plans to nationally significant infrastructure projects.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

A Decision of the Court of Appeal involving a proposal to expand Luton Airport to enable an increase in passenger capacity to 32 million passengers per annum and is earmarked as a nationally significant infrastructure project.

An Appeal Decision for Land at Snows Ride in Surrey for 154 integrated retirement community units and 33 dwellings together with a general practice surgery, the creation of suitable alternative natural greenspace, landscaping, car parking, access, maintenance workshop, refuse storage and communal facilities.

Both an Appeal Decision and a Costs Decision for the Aylesham Centre, Rye Lane in London. The development proposed is for the demolition of existing buildings and phased redevelopment to provide a replacement supermarket and associated service yard and car parking, flexible retail, leisure, and commercial accommodation, dwellings, landscaping and associated works.

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Our Special Guests this week are John Fingleton and Mustafa Latif-Aramesh. John led an independent taskforce looking into the reform of nuclear regulations in the UK and Mustafa was Lead Author of the Planning Chapter in the review. The Government’s response to the Fingleton Review was published a few days ago.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

A Court of Appeal Decision concerning a legal challenge to a council’s approval of detailed plans for a housing development of up to 170 homes in Buckinghamshire. The dispute focuses on whether the council was entitled to approve those details when issues around wastewater infrastructure and drainage had not yet been fully resolved.

An Appeal Decision regarding a council’s refusal of planning permission for a residential development of 115 homes on a long-disused former sports site in Rugby. The proposal includes demolition of existing structures and the creation of housing, access, landscaping, and associated infrastructure.

An Appeal Decision for a proposed extension of Woodford Garden Village in Stockport. Key issues considered include the impact of the development on the character and appearance of the area, as well as matters such as layout, design quality, and how the scheme integrates with its surroundings.

An Appeal Decision relating to a proposal to convert buildings at Mount Clare Campus in Roehampton Gate into temporary hostel accommodation for homeless people on the local housing authorities housing lists. The Inspector considered impacts on heritage assets, the suitability and completeness of the site’s development, the mix and quality of accommodation, and the provision of play space and local accessibility.

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