Planning Law Update - June 2019

This month saw two Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) surcharges quashed by PINS; in the first decision the works were not viewed as “material operations” implementing the planning permission, whilst the second decision was based on a commencement notice under CIL which did not provide clear enough evidence on how the notice was calculated. Away from case related developments, the CIL Regulations 2019 were laid before Parliament which will aim to speed up housing delivery, but contains significant changes that may have a negative impact.

More recently the Rt. Hon. Robert Jenrick MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 24 July 2019, following the appointment of the Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson MP as Prime Minister and his cabinet reshuffle. Not a great deal is known about Robert Jenrick MP's views on planning and it will be interesting to see the direction of travel in his policy and the Secretary of State's decision over the coming months. Initials indications are his views are similar to his predecessors. The Welsh Government has also published revised guidance for practitioners who are involved in preparing and implementing local development plans. We update below on recent planning law changes:[table id=21 /]For any further details or advice, please contact a member of our Planning & Environment Group: Planning Team or Environment Team.