MHCLG ministerial responsibilities confirmed 

Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government have confirmed the responsibilities of their ministerial teams, The Planner has reported. 

As was announced shortly after the election, Angela Rayner is Housing Secretary, whilst Matthew Pennycook is now the Housing and Planning minister; in line with the position he previously held in the shadow cabinet. 

Jim McMahon OBE, MP for Oldham West, Chadderton, and Royton, serves as the local government and English devolution minister. His role includes strategic oversight of English local and regional government structures, mayoral combined authorities, pan-regional bodies and planning casework. 

Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Stepney, is the parliamentary under-secretary of state responsible for building safety, regulations, the Building Safety Regulator, and remediation. 

Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley, is also a parliamentary under-secretary of state, overseeing high streets and towns, investment zones, freeports, and local growth plans. He previously served as the shadow minister for levelling up from 2021 to 2023. 

You can find out more on The Planner.¹ 

Report urges Labour to reconsider building scrapped HS2 route

An in-depth report reviewing national railway recently presented to government has recommended that areas of the high-speed rail HS2 project be reinstated, following its previous cancellation by the conservative government last year. 

The report was conducted by former Siemens UK boss Jurgen Maier and was commissioned by the Labour Party before the general election.  

While the report doesn’t explicitly call for a full revival of HS2, its recommendations collectively suggest that the same network could be built gradually in segments.

This comes following Chancellor Rachel Reeve’s announcement of a review into public spending to be released next Spring, after highlighting a claimed £22 billion shortfall in public finances, including £2.9 billion linked to unfunded transport commitments. 

Analysing the Maier report, the Telegraph tell us²: 

“Project costs could be cut by 20% and delivery times by 25% if red tape were eliminated, according to the study, which was compiled with design-engineering firm Arup and also involved former HS2 chairman Allan Cook and the TUC’s head of economics, Nicola Smith. 

Planning appeal decisions hit a 12-month low due to pre-election delay

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) reported a significant drop in the number of appeal decisions issued in June, marking a 12-month low. The decrease has been attributed to delays during the pre-general election period, where decision-making processes were 'held up.'  

This slowdown reflects the typical caution exercised by government bodies to avoid controversial rulings that could influence election outcomes, and seems to be reflected in the submission of planning applications and development projects breaking ground in the same period as uncertainty slowed the sector. As the election period concludes, the backlog of appeals is expected to be addressed, with a potential increase in decisions being finalised in the coming months. 

Planning Minister Approves Controversial 1,900-Home Urban Extension

Developers Co. Durham Land and Bellway Homes have won an appeal to develop a 139-hectare site at Sniperley Park, northwest of Durham, after Durham County Council failed to determine their planning applications on time. The decision, made by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner’s office, clears the way for up to 1,920 new homes, a primary school, a local center, and expanded park-and-ride facilities.

The Planning Minister approved the urban extension on land previously protected under the green belt, despite the development exceeding the local plan's housing allocation. This move has sparked debate regarding the implications for the planning system and Durham's local community.  

The council had previously raised concerns about the lack of “comprehensive development,” infrastructure, and sustainable transport options. However, Planning Inspector Helen Hockenhull's report supported the developers, stating their masterplan provided the necessary infrastructure for a sustainable development.

Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook, in his decision letter dated 21 August 2024, concluded that the submitted masterplan was acceptable for comprehensive development, giving significant weight to the delivery of housing, economic benefits, and moderate weight to environmental improvements. The appeals were approved, allowing the projects to proceed. Durham County Council is currently reviewing the decision's details.

This comes weeks after reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework were proposed by the new government which are currently undergoing the consultation process.

1. https://www.theplanner.co.uk/2024/08/21/responsibilities-mhclg-confirmed?
2. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/08/22/labour-to-reconsider-building-scrapped-hs2-route/