Planning analysis: The Interim Report of the Raynsford Review of Planning in England (the Interim Report) has been published for consultation, setting out a series of high-level objectives that might underpin future reform of the English planning system. It includes recommendations to: re-introduce regional planning; reform the system of betterment taxation; introduce a statutory purpose for the planning system; and foster greater alignment and co-ordination between government departments and agencies involved in planning.

Act of Parliament which, amongst other things, establishes the new regime for the consenting of infrastructure-projects-'>Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and introduces National Policy Statements (NPSs).

The Planning Inspectorate has announced that Development Consent Order (DCO) applications for two offshore wind farm projects have been granted by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Dogger Bank South Offshore Wind Farms project, comprising two wind farms (Dogger Bank Southwest and Dogger Bank South East) with associated offshore and onshore infrastructure, had its application submitted by RWE Renewables UK subsidiaries on 12 June 2024 and accepted for examination on 10 July 2024. The North Falls Offshore Wind Farm, an offshore electricity generating station with installed capacity exceeding 100MW located approximately 24.5km from the Port of Lowestoft, had its application submitted by North Falls Offshore Wind Farm Ltd on 26 July 2024 and accepted on 22 August 2024. Both projects completed six-month examinations under the Planning Act 2008, with recommendations made to the Secretary of State in October 2025.

The Planning Inspectorate has announced that it is expanding the ‘Appeal a planning decision’ digital service to include enforcement, enforcement listed building and lawful development certificate appeals. As a result, appellants and planning agents will soon be able to use the new digital platform when submitting these types of appeal.

The Planning Inspectorate has announced that the Beacon Fen Energy Park DCO application has been granted development consent by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The project comprises a 400MW photovoltaic farm incorporating up to a 600MVA Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), an on-site substation and electrical connection. The application was submitted by Beacon Fen Energy Park Limited on 8 April 2025 and accepted for examination on 1 May 2025. Following a six-month examination, during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were able to give evidence, the Examining Authority made its recommendation to the Secretary of State on 22 May 2026.

The UK Planning Inspectorate has announced that it will only accept comments on planning and enforcement appeals submitted via the new Appeals Casework Portal (ACP). The portal will replace email submissions from 1 April 2024, with the intention to streamlining the comment submission process. The ACP aims to ensure comment recipient certainty, protect personal data, and enhance efficiency. The Planning Inspectorate has asked Local Planning Authorities for their support in guiding community members to use the ACP for comments. Genuine accessibility needs will be accommodated, emphasising a transition to a more efficient submission system.

The Planning Inspectorate has announced that, effective from 1 April 2026, most planning applications submitted to local planning authorities will follow a new, simpler route when appealed and decided via written representations. Implemented through regulations laid by the government in February 2026, these changes restrict the majority of written representation appeals to consider only evidence that was previously submitted during the application process. Under the new system, appellants will have the opportunity to indicate their preferred procedure and provide supporting reasoning during the appeal process. However, the Planning Inspectorate retains the discretion to determine whether an appeal should proceed by written representation, hearing, or inquiry, based on existing criteria. These new procedures will apply exclusively to applications made from 1 April 2026, with both current and updated procedure guides maintained until the existing guidance becomes obsolete.

The Planning Inspectorate has completed the national rollout of its new digital appeals service to all local planning authorities (LPAs) in England, enabling online management of Householder, Planning (S78) and Listed Building (S20) appeals. The service will add Commercial Planning, Commercial Adverts and Advertisements appeals on 17 December 2025, followed by Enforcement and Lawful Development Certificate appeals in February 2026. The new system will eventually replace the Appeals Casework Portal, though existing cases will continue on the old platform while new cases use the digital service exclusively.

The Planning Inspectorate has announced that a pre-examination checklist for local plans will be introduced from 6 October 2025 to improve the efficiency of examinations while maintaining quality. The checklist, completed by local planning authorities before submission, will ensure all necessary arrangements, evidence, and the rationale for plan content are in place. The Inspectorate will assess each checklist within ten working days, advising whether the plan is ready for examination or providing recommended actions to address shortcomings. Both the checklist and the Inspectorate’s response will be published on the examination website alongside the plan and other submission documents to maintain transparency.

The Planning Inspectorate has launched an online survey to gain further insight about recruiting candidates to the Band 1 (entry-level) planning inspector role. The Inspectorate states that the research from the survey will provide valuable data to help refine the recruitment strategy so that it is suitable for a diverse range of potential candidates. The survey, according to the Planning Inspectorate, is aimed at individuals from an array of professions that are most usually aligned to, though not limited to, the role of the planning inspector, and the Inspectorate is particularly keen to hear from anyone who has previously considered the career of a Band 1 planning inspector.

The Planning Inspectorate has announced that it will not be issuing decisions, reports or advisory letters in cases or examinations where known candidates have made representations until after the election day unless a statutory duty to a timetable applies. The May 2025 elections will be held from 10 April 2025 to 1 May 2025.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has published non-statutory guidance on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) during the pre-application stage in England and Wales. The guidance explains how applicants should determine whether an EIA is required, prepare screening and scoping requests, engage with consultation bodies, and produce proportionate Environmental Statements (ESs). It also provides updated advice on the use of the Rochdale Envelope where flexibility is required in project design and reflects changes introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (PIA 2025).