Weekly planning news
Planning news - 14 November 2024
Government to consult on BNG for NSIPS – whilst ‘reviewing’ BNG stats and applications
Government are set to launch a consultation on applying Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). The announcement was made during a parliamentary debate on Wednesday 6 November.
Introduced earlier this year, BNG has sparked significant debate across the built environment since its inception. Early concerns focused on a lack of specialist knowledge at local councils and potential additional burdens for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More recently, however, attention has shifted to what seems to be a considerably low uptake of the policy, prompting calls for review.
In September, Planning Portal, along with a range of environmental organisations and industry stakeholders, co-signed an open letter urging the government to reconsider current exemptions1, which appear to have so far been heavily utilised.
In response to these concerns, we updated our application system guidance in October2 to provide clearer explanations of exemptions, helping users make informed decisions and navigate the most common exemptions more effectively.
The government’s decision to consult on extending BNG to NSIPs marks a significant development in the ongoing policy debate and the first significant acknowledgement of BNG’s impact on NSIPs.
According to an article published in Planning Resource on 8 November3, during the debate Liberal Democrat peer claimed that uptake of BNG policy has been ‘massively lower’ than expected and pushed for an answer on whether current exemptions, affecting other types of applications, are being reviewed to address these ‘large loopholes’.
The Labour peer responded that ‘DEFRA is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to review planning statistics and specific applications’..
At Planning Portal, we are committed to supporting sustainability efforts within the built environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Biodiversity Net Gain and will continue to provide resources and guidance to help users navigate the evolving policy. Visit our website to find out more.4
New towns taskforce to recommend list of locations by next July
The ‘New Towns Task Force’ – an initiative established by government to help bring about Labour’s desired 'new towns' by advising on suitable locations – has launched a call for evidence to explore development opportunities nationally.
What's more, the taskforce has committed to recommending suitable locations by July next year.
The call for evidence stipulates that the taskforce is interested in establishing settlements providing 10,000 homes ‘at the very least’, with a ‘gold standard’ of 40% affordable housing.
The call for evidence seeks to ‘capture initial information’ to help explore potential development opportunities, including locations for the new towns, as well as ‘ensuring the taskforce is aware of all opportunities’. They’re interested in hearing about potential development areas for 10,000 homes or more.
You can find more information on the call to evidence, including how to respond, by visiting the government’s website.5
Find land, with Planning Portal
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Backed by TerraQuest’s 50 years of expertise in land referencing and our well-established relationships with all national local authorities, we can pinpoint high-potential sites, tailored to your needs, including council-owned land and sites with strong planning approval potential. Since we’re not land agents, you know your interests will be safeguarded against the competition. Contact land@planningportal.co.uk to explore pre-planning opportunities today.
Public-private partnership seeks to deliver 3,000 affordable homes in England
A new public-private partnership named Habiko between Homes England, Muse and Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) has announced an ambition to deliver 3,000 new homes.
The partnership is a long-term project, aiming to create 3,000 low-energy, low-carbon affordable rent homes. Targeting the current gap in the rental market by setting rent at 20% less than market price.
Areas where affordable rent homes are most required will be targeted, creating social value for communities.
PIC will forward fund the development of the homes throughout the lifespan of the partnership; ultimately leading to them taking ownership of the homes.
The group believes that ‘collaboration between government, developers and private investors’ is the best way to meet the UK’s affordable housing challenge.
- https://www.terraquest.co.uk/news-and-insights/bng-exemption-review
- https://blog.planningportal.co.uk/2024/10/10/application-system-update-ensuring-eligibility-for-the-most-used-biodiversity-net-gain-exemptions/
- https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1895364/minister-confirms-consultation-applying-bng-nsips-very-shortly
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/other-permissions-you-may-require/biodiversity-net-gain
- https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/new-towns-taskforce
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/commercial-opportunities/land-finding
