Decisions on planning applications are still going ahead in the coronavirus lockdown period, but planning officers may not be visiting sites. So they are making more use of photographs. If you are objecting to a planning application then make sure you provide a good schedule of photos - and show where they are taken from.

The Mayor or London, Sadiq Khan, has published his draft replacement London Plan. It has to be agreed by the Government's Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick. But Mr Jenrick has recently found the Plan to not meet national planning policy and Government objectives. He has ordered the Plan to be modified. Get ready for disputes over the coming months - the new Plan is an important document for anyone considering planning applications and appeals in the Capital.

Habitat and protected species can be important issues in planning applications and appeals. The Government, through Natural England, have announced a new ‘District Level Licensing’ scheme. This looks at the landscape rather than a site-by-site assessment, as well as and using conservation payments from developers to create new habitats in locations. Applicants, appellants and objectors need to be aware of the importance of protected species in all schemes.

The plans to expand Heathrow by an additional runway have received a major setback with a successful challenge in the Court of Appeal by a partnership of local Councils and environmental pressure groups. The ruling said that the Government's adopted Airports National Policy Statement was not compatible with the climate change obligations under the Paris Agreement. Discussion continues as to the implications of this ruling. Will it be the end of the additional runway plans? Or does it just mean that the plans can be resurrected, provided they make proper reference to the obligation and other legal requirements? No doubt the objections will continue whatever the decision.