Shortly after the change in the Secretary of State, the Government is indicating a tougher approach to securing planning permission for new housing on 'greenfield' sites. At the Conservative Party Conference, Boris Johnson said "You can also see how much room there is to build the homes that young families need in this country not on green fields, not just jammed in the South East, but beautiful homes on brownfield sites in places where homes make sense".

The recent Government reshuffle saw the departure of Robert Jenrick as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the arrival of Michael Gove. And with the new person in charge cam a new name for the Department: appeals are still made to the Planning Inspectorate, who are an executive agency of the new Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

If you appeal against a refusal of planning permission then your decision will be determined by a randomly allocated independent Inspector, from outside your Council area. But is there a difference in who makes these decisions? A new service has analysed the decisions of individual Inspectors to see how many they allow and dismiss, and by development types

Following a downturn at the start of the pandemic, the number of planning applications submitted to Councils has shot up and continues to rise. Leeds Council are the latest to admit they are struggling in coping with the number of applications. The pressure on planning officers means it is now even more important than ever to make your views heard clearly and accurately, if you want to be involved in the planning process. Our books tell you how.

Local planning authorities must publish all relevant documents about a planning application in time for objectors to consider them, and before any application has been heard by a Planning Committee.  The High Court recently found that the failure to do this warranted the quashing of a planning permission. If you are making representations to a planning application you have a right to view the relevant documents and have time to respond; make sure you press for those documents.

The full Annual Report of the Planning Inspectorate has recently been published, which provides an update on how they are performing: unfortunately not as well as they would hope, with a slowing down of the appeals process. The Report has helpful case studies of how appeals run, and more information on the operation of the Inspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate has published the results of a survey with its users, and it doesn't read well. Only 57% are satisfied with the organisation, and trust dropping to 53%. It has been a busy time in planning and they are under pressure, but they recognise improvements needed. Full results here.

The Government has announced a trial of new digital techniques to involve the public in planning. This will be more interactive maps, integrated with Local Plan production, and notification of planning applications - doing away with 'notices on lampposts' that they feel are too old fashioned.