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.
Planning analysis: The government and the Mayor of London have launched parallel consultations aimed at boosting housing delivery in the capital. The...
The Department for Transport (DBT) has announced that Heathrow Airport Limited’s (HAL) third runway proposal will form the basis of the Airports...
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has published draft London Plan Guidance proposing time-limited changes to cycle parking requirements, housing...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced that new plan-making regulations will be laid early next year,...
Planning analysis: The government has published four documents launching the new local plan-making system introduced by the Levelling-up and...
Planning case tracker—2025The Planning case tracker is a list of key judgments from 2025 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...
Injunctions restraining breach of planning control—procedural aspectsSection 187B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990) provides that...
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)—duty to pass CIL receipts to parish and community councilsContextCommunity Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge...
Powers to stop up and divert highways and footpathsPurposeHighways can be stopped up if the area of highway is no longer needed, or when the land is...
Precedent s 106 agreementThis Agreement is made on [insert date] of [insert month] [insert year]BETWEEN1[insert name], of [insert address]...
Environmental Information Regulations 2004, Data Protection Act 1998, Freedom of Information Act 2000—provision for disclosure by a local authority...
Contract for sale—freehold vacant possession conditional on planningdate [date]Parties1[name of Seller] [of OR incorporated in England and Wales...
Precedent s 106A deed of variation/supplemental agreementAGREEMENTrelating toSection 106 and 106A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 [and...
Conservation covenant agreementThis is the first draft of a precedent conservation covenant agreement, to be made under section 117 of the Environment...
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...
The sale/investment value of property or land as distinct from its rental value.
National Planning Policy Framework.
The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 puts uses of land and buildings into categories known as 'use classes' and ‘sui generis’ uses (in a class of their own).