Introducing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing. The government considers the current planning regime to be a major brake on economic growth – one of...more
One of the many benefits of being in a truly global law firm, is being able to explore the experiences of counterparts around the world – which are often so similar, yet so very different – to help inspire and inform what we...more
In the planning world we are no strangers to the political spotlight every time there is an election. It seems that the promise of greater delivery, more housing, and speedier decisions is a rite of passage for any new...more
The way we use land and buildings is constantly evolving. In recent years, though, irrespective of where you are in the world, it has felt as if the pace of that change has been accelerating, be that to accommodate new,...more
2024 continues to deliver waves of ESG-related news, updates and developments. In this latest ESG Update Robert Gowing considers the challenges inherent in the planning system when it comes to adapting or upgrading heritage...more
As part of the UK's ambition to become a Science and Tech superpower by 2030, the government has confirmed its commitment to help unlock opportunities for data driven businesses to scale up and to scale up fast. This scaling...more
A snapshot of key regulatory developments expected to impact the UK real estate sector over the coming months.
What is coming down the line this Spring in terms of new legislation and which are the crucial cases to have on...more
The new Biodiversity Net Gain regime comes into force in February 2024 and should be front of mind for those in the development industry. Our Planning team has prepared a Real Estate Horizons flowchart to help you to navigate...more
The new Biodiversity Net Gain regime comes into force in February 2024 and should be front of mind for those in the development industry. Our Planning team has prepared a Real Estate Horizons one page summary to help you to...more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – excited children, the promise of time with loved ones, the scent of mince pies, and a feast of year-end round-ups of some of the most exciting things to have happened in the last...more
Our Real Estate Horizons one page summary explains what the new BNG requirement is, when it’s relevant and the options available for satisfying it, and provide details on how the biodiversity value of a site is calculated...more
In September 2020, faced with the impacts of a global pandemic exacerbating the problems of an already struggling high-street, the UK government introduced a significant shake-up of the Use Classes Order with the creation of...more
While securing planning permission is often seen as the end of the planning process for a project, there are many reasons why a developer may need to change that consent – a new need for flexibility to reflect changes in the...more
The UK government has long wanted to do away with the European-based system of environmental impact assessments, replacing it with a new, improved, domestic regime of environmental assessment and protection. The Levelling-up...more
It’s almost impossible to escape stories of rocketing inflation and increasing costs globally. The development industry isn’t immune to these pressures but is there more to this trend than the increased cost of materials? ...more
Secretaries of State may come and go, but some things remain the same in the English planning system, such as the controversy around protections for, and redevelopment of, the greenbelt. But what is the greenbelt, and does...more
The promise of planning reform seems perennial. After its Planning White Paper received a less than warm reception, compounded by suggestions that it contributed to by-election defeats, the government decided to pause its...more
Following public consultation earlier this year, draft legislation for a new residential property developer tax has been published by HM Treasury. The aim is to help fund the growing costs of cladding remediation works,...more
Last week, Robert Jenrick, the housing minister, announced a new industry wide levy and tax to "contribute to righting the wrongs of the past". Rightly or wrongly, the development industry is being singled out to foot part of...more
Just when you thought that no more excitement could happen in the planning world, the government has launched a consultation seeking views on potentially far reaching proposals to allow a change of use from any Commercial,...more
There is no change in the two key issues that have been causing concern to those involved in real estate development, whether as an owner, developer or contractor, both before and throughout the transition period...more
Whilst the three previous articles in our series on planning reform have considered the main changes in the Planning White Paper, there are many more recent far-reaching proposals, both in the Planning White Paper and...more
In early August, to much fanfare and the promise of "radical reform", the government published the "Planning for the Future" White Paper, setting out its route map to overhaul the planning system in England. The stated aims...more
It's difficult enough to keep on top of the news at the moment – not to mention the raft of recent changes to the planning system announced by Whitehall over the past couple of months. With that in mind, and as the...more
On Tuesday the government laid before Parliament regulations making sweeping changes to the Use Classes Order.
The changes, which come into effect on 1 September 2020, represent a complete overhaul of the current Use...more