The Government is announcing changes to the planning system that will see the right for local communities to decide and vote for developments in their area, including extensions. But for now, no such system: if you want help in appealing against a refusal or objecting to development, our books can help.

Home working has increased since the pandemic, but not everything can be run smoothly from home as this homeowner found out. A cabin in the back garden used for a childcare business is the subject of an enforcement notice from Stockton Council and now an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

We all remember the fame of Jackie Weaver with the Handforth Parish Council online planning meeting during lockdown. Online meetings became normal and have increased participation, but will they continue? Some Councils are removing them, others keen to carry on: but as this article shows, it comes at a cost to provide the technology.

Grand Tour presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been refused permission for a new restaurant at his Diddly Squat farm in Oxfordshire. Despite speaking to the planning committee, the Council decided not to grant permission. Will he appeal? If so, our book can help!

A recent survey by the Home Builders Federation has shown the number of builders reporting problems with the supply and cost of materials had jumped from 20 per cent a year ago to 78 per cent. Nine out of ten builders also say a lack of resources in planning departments are causing delays.

The rise in the number of appeals in 2021, and backlog from lock-downs, mean appeals are taking longer than they should. Latest statistics from the Planning Inspectorate show householder appeals are about 5 months and other written representation appeals about 7 months. Hearings are over a year.