We cover all key aspects of the planning application process from the procedure, viability considerations, to decision-making and material considerations, to the duty to give reasons for planning decisions.
A series of Practice Notes and Checklists outlining the planning issues for a planning title in a property transaction. How information’s revealed, what to report on, and the significance of the findings for the buyer.
Compulsory purchase is governed by complex legislation, case law and guidance. We provide the legal requirements and good practice to help customers navigate the procedure, scope of CPOs and opportunities for challenge.
Planning requirements, procedures, policy, appeals and enforcement. We cover developments ranging from small-scale residential extensions to nationally significant infrastructure projects.
This week’s edition of Planning weekly highlights includes: a consultation on Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance; the first building...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published a consultation seeking views on the usability of a consolidated draft of...
The Welsh Government has published a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS, setting out improvements...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published the first edition of its Building Safety Newsletter, setting out...
Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) has published guidance explaining how applicants for a significant infrastructure project must consult...
Brexit timelineOn 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its membership of the EU, with a majority voting in favour of the UK leaving the EU. On 29...
Permission for nationally significant infrastructure projectsThe Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) received Royal Assent on 26 November 2008. PA 2008...
Planning case tracker—2026The Planning case tracker is a list of key judgments from 2026 considered relevant to planning lawyers, with cases listed in...
Obtaining building regulations approvalThe Building Act 1984 (BA 1984) empowers the Secretary of State/Welsh Ministers to make building regulations...
Appropriate assessment/habitats regulations assessmentRequirement for appropriate assessment/habitats regulations assessmentTogether:•Part 1 of the...
Property development agreementDate [date]Parties1[name of Owner] [of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [number]) whose...
Contract for sale—freehold vacant possession conditional on planningdate [date]Parties1[name of Seller] [of OR incorporated in England and Wales...
Wayleave agreement—previous Electronic Communications CodeSTOP PRESS: THE NEW ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS CODE CAME INTO FORCE ON 28 DECEMBER 2017. THIS...
Precedent compulsory purchase order indemnity agreementThis Agreement is made on [date]BETWEEN1[Council] whose principal place of business is...
Precedent s 278 agreementDeed dated[insert date]section 278 Highways Act 1980 relating to development at [insert text] between:Parties1[insert name]...
Statutory wayleaves and rights of accessUtilitiesThe water, gas, electricity, communications and energy industries enjoy statutory rights of access...
Planning conditions—the six testsPowers to impose planning conditionsThe general powers for local planning authorities (LPAs) to impose conditions on...
Section 215 notice requiring maintenance of landIntroductionThe purpose of section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990) is to...
Bias and pre-determination in planning casesScope of bias and pre-determination in planning casesBias and pre-determination can be an issue in...
Permitted development in WalesPlanning permission is required for the development of land. 'Development', which is defined in the Town and Country...
Declaratory relief of planning decisionsA declaratory judgment is a judgment identifying the rights, duties or obligations of one or more parties in a...
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest?Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are sites in...
What is a town or village green?The existence of a town or village green (TVG) may restrict or even prevent development. It is a criminal offence to...
Material change of useControl of developmentPursuant to section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990), planning permission is...
Implementing a CPO—notice to treat and General Vesting DeclarationContextThe confirmation of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) does not vest title in...
The Crichel Down RulesThe Crichel Down Rules (the Rules) require that in certain circumstances, surplus government land that was acquired by, or under...
infrastructure-levy-'>Community Infrastructure Levy.
A means of challenging the lawfulness of an act or omission by a public body, which has a sufficient public element. Planning judicial review is dealt with in a specialist Planning Court under rules set out in s 31 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 and CPR 54.
An appraisal of land based on a potential development scheme.