Category: Planning
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Why councils are reclassifying villages as towns
Councils across England are using settlement reclassification as a tool to defend green belt land from national housing pressures. Solihull Council has proposed reclassifying four villages – Knowle, Dorridge, Bentley Heath and Balsall Common – as towns to limit the impact of grey belt planning reforms. By changing how these settlements are officially defined, councils…
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How sewers are flushing Britain’s housing plans down the drain
Almost 30,000 new homes across the UK are currently stalled because of concerns about sewer and wastewater capacity, including 7,000 affordable homes. Developers have paid £2.3 billion to water companies since 2020 to fund infrastructure upgrades, yet planning permissions are still being delayed. According to the Home Builders Federation (HBF), the disconnect between councils, water…
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Why keeping your neighbours sweet is top planning tip
Whether you’re planning a modest home extension or a new self-build dwelling, engaging with your neighbours is often one of the most overlooked – yet potentially most impactful – parts of the planning permission process. It’s therefore important to understand how neighbour engagement fits into the planning system, why it matters even when it’s not…
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Change of use: How to turn non-residential land into a plot
When you’re hunting for a building plot, it’s easy to think you’ll stumble across a neat patch of grass with planning permission already sorted and services waiting at the boundary. In reality, that almost never happens and more often than not, the best opportunities are hidden in plain sight – old garages, barns, or even,…
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Councils rebel against Labour’s planning reforms
Councils across England are mounting a united challenge to the Government’s proposed planning reforms, warning they will strip away local decision-making powers and damage trust in the system. Leaders from urban and rural authorities say the changes – including a two-tier system and tougher housing targets – are unnecessary, unrealistic, and harmful. The growing backlash…
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How far can I extend without planning permission?
One of the most commonly questions from homeowners looking to build an extension, is ‘how far can I extend without planning permission?’ – particularly if the thought of the red-tape involved in gaining approval seems too onerous. With the help of planning consultant, Simon Rix, we’re exploring why every centimetre matters when it comes to…
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New Graven Hill planning application for final phases
Graven Hill Village Development Company has submitted a new planning application seeking permission for the final phases of the UK’s largest self-build and custom-build community. The submission includes full consent for 64 homes and outline proposals for more than 1,300 additional dwellings, as well as new infrastructure, green spaces, and a revised design code. Developed…
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Planning permission reform boosts UK heat pump sales
The UK is making real progress on its goal to install 600,000 heat pumps each year by 2028. New research from energy company Aira shows a sharp rise in the number of people applying for heat pump grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with applications up 54% in the first half of 2025 compared to…
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Council takes ‘critical action’ to reduce planning backlog
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and transportation, said: “This is an incredibly complex problem to solve, and we recognise that this critical action will impact on our residents. But it is necessary to bring work in progress down to a more manageable and sustainable standard and to make Somerset’s planning service a…
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Why 2025 has become the hardest year to improve your home introduction
If you’re thinking about renovating your house this year, you’re not alone, but you might want to hold off. Rising costs for materials and labour, plus tougher planning rules, are making home improvements harder and more expensive than many expected. For homeowners ready to roll up their sleeves, 2025 is turning out to be one…