planning
Big builders exploiting loophole to push greenfield developments through on appeal, CPRE research shows
Tuesday 13 June 2023
Deep-pocketed developers are winning on appeal against cash-strapped councils by exploiting a planning loophole Individuals and firms proposing small-scale projects have far less chance of successfully challenging planning decisions – the system appears weighted in favour of big builders Major developments on greenfield land use the ‘five-year housing land supply’ rule to override Local Plans […] Read more >
Planning seminar: the highlights from a fascinating day
Monday 5 June 2023
Andrew Wood, former CPRE planner, returned to his former haunts (spiritually if not geographically) when he led a workshop in Chelmsford entitled How the planning system works, and how to influence it. Held at the Essex Record Office Conference Centre, Chelmsford, on Friday, May 19, the workshop proved an undoubted success as everyone present got […] Read more >
Join us for a free talk: ‘How the planning system works, and how to influence it’
Wednesday 10 May 2023
We have something rather special for you this month – a FREE planning seminar. Andrew Wood, former CPRE planner, will be giving a talk entitled How the planning system works, and how to influence it at the Essex Record Office Conference Centre, Chelmsford, on Friday, May 19. For the event we will use real-world examples […] Read more >
Planning reforms consultation: CPRE ‘deeply concerned’
Friday 23 December 2022
CPRE has given a decidedly cool response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) prospectus consultation, which was published yesterday (Thursday, December 22). Paul Miner, acting director of campaigns and policy at CPRE, the countryside charity, said: “We are deeply concerned that the government appears to be backsliding on promises it made just a few weeks […] Read more >
Campaign success as planning changes give more power to communities
Thursday 8 December 2022
The government has set out new measures in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that give communities more say on local housing targets, as well as encouraging brownfield development and controlling short-term lets. Commenting on the government’s vital changes to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, Tom Fyans, interim chief executive of CPRE, the countryside […] Read more >
‘Deregulation on steroids’ – the CPRE response to planned investment zones
Friday 30 September 2022
Kwasi Kwarteng, the new Chancellor, has announced plans that strip away the protection of the planning system from swathes of the countryside. These new ‘investment zones’ will threaten many of our most loved landscapes. Responding to the announcement Tom Fyans, interim chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: “This government’s obsession with driving growth at […] Read more >
‘A powerful and memorable campaign’: CPRE wins award for response to planning proposals
Tuesday 30 November 2021
CPRE has broken new ground and won an award for its campaign responding to the government’s proposed reform of the country’s planning system. Our first award for campaigning and policy work in living memory was announced on Wednesday, November 24, and represents a striking triumph for the combined national and local approach of CPRE. The […] Read more >
‘A victory for common sense’: CPRE responds to reported rethink of planning reform
Saturday 11 September 2021
It has been reported in The Times this morning (Saturday, September 11) that the government is planning to abandon substantial parts of its planning proposals, including the zonal planning system. If correct, this will be a huge win for the CPRE planning campaign, so fingers crossed! Commenting on the reported rethink of the planning proposals, […] Read more >
All quiet on the planning front, so where are we now with proposed reform of the system?
Wednesday 8 September 2021
The apparent view from Westminster that the country’s planning system was so poor we needed to ‘tear it down and start again’ proved astonishingly contentious as tens of thousands of people responded to a consultation on the subject. Here, Michael Hand, CPRE Essex planning adviser, updates us on the progress of the Planning for the […] Read more >
The revised NPPF is out! Not bedtime reading maybe, but it’s going to play a big part in planning policy
Thursday 29 July 2021
A revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework has been published this month (July) – see here. The new incarnation follows this year’s consultation, which focused primarily on incorporating design codes and building-beautiful recommendations. The full government consultation response can be found here. The original comments made by CPRE to the consultation are here. […] Read more >