Weekly planning news

Natural England to provide in-depth pre-application advice only in ‘complex’ cases

Mike Burke, Natural England’s¹ director for sustainable development, has highlighted that the agency’s ‘shift to focusing on high risk and high opportunity casework’ is a result of ‘delivery challenges’ as well as additional pressure on their workload due to climate change and nature decline. 

Burke emphasised that this change reflects Natural England’s commitment to effectively allocate resources where they are most needed. As a result, the agency is unlikely to offer bespoke advice services for lower-risk applications - instead stakeholders can expect to receive 'standard responses' in these instances. This will streamline the advice process but limit tailored support for simpler projects. 

According to Planning Resource, ‘High Risk’ is defined as ‘proposals where there is potential for significant impacts to designated sites and landscapes, including marine designated sites’. 

More information can be found by visiting Planning Resource². 

Government pushed to update ‘Warm Homes Plan’ by energy services provider

Energy services provider Sureserve is urging policymakers to revise the 'Warm Homes Plan.' The company, which offers energy services to housing associations and local authorities, has recently circulated a detailed report to various policymakers and MPs following the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. 

The report addresses the longstanding challenges that have historically impeded progress within the social housing sector while highlighting the unique opportunities presented to the new government to tackle these issues effectively. The report emphasises that modernising the energy system is not just a technical necessity but a crucial step in safeguarding households at risk of falling into fuel poverty. 

Sureserve also emphasizes that modernizing the energy system is integral in achieving national net-zero targets, aligning with broader national sustainability goals.  

You can read the full report here.³ 

For more information on sustainability initiatives within the built environment, visit our Sustainability Hub.⁴  

Natural England Chair calls for new approach in the State of Natural Capital Annual Report

The State of Natural Capital Report highlights the links between nature, wealth, security and health. Helping decision makers ensure that all areas are complimentary and work in unison. 

The Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper, has stated that a new approach is needed to save nature. This includes wetlands, forests and other ecosystems throughout the country. 

The report highlights the importance of nature, and its depletion, on the economic state of the country, particularly in the agricultural sector - including extreme weather events and their impact on the nation. 

A new risk register will support the report, focusing on all areas of nature. Highlighting the risks and potential routes to resolve or address the issues. 

The full report is available on the Natural England website.⁵ 

Former housing secretary says 2023 NPPF gave incorrect impression on local housing need

Former housing secretary Micheal Gove has said that the previous government’s changes to the National Planning Policy Framework in 2023, in particular revisions to paragraph 67 to stipulate that the calculation for housing need was an ‘advisory starting point’ for local authorities.  

According to Planning Resource⁶, Gove also suggested that had the ‘Planning for the Future’⁷ which was published back in 2020 been enacted, it would have ‘made the planning system work better’ - adding that ‘mutant algorithms’ had made people worry about proposed levels of new homes in their areas, which contributed to support for ‘scrapping’ of top-down housing targets. 

Gove was keen to stress that, although his government technically didn’t ‘scrap’ housing targets, the change in messaging created confusion, decreased appetite for house building and a ‘bad vibe’. 

You can find further detail on this story by visiting Planning Resource.⁸

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england
2. https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1891090/natural-england-reduces-support-low-risk-applications-warns-delayed-consultation-responses
3. https://info.sureservegroup.co.uk/delivering-warm-homes
4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/sustainability-and-planning
5. https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6683489974616064
6. https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1890900/gove-admits-2023-nppf-changes-sent-wrong-message-councils-need-not-meet-local-housing-need
7. https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1691597/28-things-need-know-governments-planning-future-white-paper
8. https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1890900/gove-admits-2023-nppf-changes-sent-wrong-message-councils-need-not-meet-local-housing-need