News archive

CIL - A year on

January 25, 2013

A year ago we discussed what the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) might mean for local communities , at the time relatively little was known about practical aspects of the levy such as how much the levy would actually cost or how the money would be spe

Odyssey? Or Deja Vous? Obama still can...

November 08, 2012

We try as hard as we can to avoid sweeping blogs about international, even national stories within the Localism Agenda. However, ignoring the US Presidential Election, a once in a four year occurrence, watched by billions in every corner of the world woul

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November...

November 05, 2012

It has been 407 years to the day that Guy Fawkes failed with his Gunpowder Plot. Are we now seeing a new revolutionary plot to remove British parliament from its London base?

Preempting localism: informing the "informed"

November 01, 2012

"No thank you" is often a default reaction from residents who feel threatened by proposals to create new developments in their locality. A key element of what we do for clients involves tackling the preconceptions which pit developers as commercial tresp

The information line, direct consultation

October 24, 2012

Our campaigns are individually tailored to our clients and their needs, but one service which is always offered is the information line. It is a freephone number manned constantly throughout the day.

All over for now

October 17, 2012

So the conference circus has left town, and the conference season over. Starry-eyed representatives return to their constituencies having been charmed by MPs, Ministers and even Secretaries of State. Conferences are not cheap affairs.

Follow that!

October 08, 2012

After Ed Milliband's triumphant conference performance, David Cameron needs to rediscover his own sparkle when the Conservatives meet in Birmingham.

Ed Balls, 100,000 houses and a leader who might be finding his feet

October 03, 2012

Ed Balls featured prominently at the Labour Conference over the last few days - first with the annual Labour vs. the Lobby football match on Sunday and second with the Shadow Chancellor's speech on Monday.

Gold for Remarkable at the CIPR awards

September 28, 2012

The Remarkable Group is celebrating after winning the title of Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy at the CIPR PRide awards, on a night when it took home a total of six accolades (more golds than any other entrant).

Damned if you don't...

July 17, 2012

One of my clients is looking to bring forward a planning application for a retail outlet in a market town in Wales. We held a two-day public exhibition recently and invited the whole town to come and see the plans and meet the team. Hundreds turned up

Increase of 15% for planning fees

July 06, 2012

Planning Minister Greg Clark announced the Coalition Government's latest change to the planning system, a proposed one-off increase to planning fees in order to bring them in line with inflation

Local elections - difficult for the Tories but how did Labour do?

May 09, 2012

Conservative head quaters will be spinning the line that Thursday's elections represent nothing more than the usual mid-term blues for an incumbent Government. In the wake of a string of blunders, from Abu Qatada to George's far from popular Budget, it wa

Local support and how it helped to secure planning permission for aldi in Crewe

April 19, 2012

Against officer's recommendation for refusal we helped Aldi achieve planning consent for a new store in Crewe and here's how we did it.

What has changed with the NPPF?

March 27, 2012

Today Greg Clark stood up in the House of Commons to announce the final National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The first draft, released in 2011, was touted by enthusiastic ministers as the solution to years of bureaucratic red tape, whilst being c

The 7 golden rules of social media and community engagement

February 07, 2012

How can you use social media as part of a planning proposal? On the one hand, the openness and transparency offered by direct and public interaction can be empowering, yet a desire to use social media to galvanise your supporters runs the risk of being hi

CIL - Cost and Coverage

February 02, 2012

The Community Infrastructure Levy or CIL was set out in the Planning Act 2008 as a means for local authorities to raise funds from developers. So what does this mean for developers?

Why local communities are misunderstanding Localism

January 25, 2012

Whenever we introduce a new procedure in our office, we give people plenty of notice, we provide them with a list of do's and don'ts and we make sure that everything is fully understood. We monitor progress and tweak our reforms if practice turns out to b

Neighbourhood plans - better for local residents and developers?

January 20, 2012

With the government-funded pilot scheme awarding wave after wave of neighbourhood groups grants for Neighbourhood Planning Schemes, these (currently 126) areas across the country are leading the way in creating a concept.

Abolishing Predetermination - what it really means

January 16, 2012

We have all been there - you are embracing public consultation and you want to make sure a local member is fully briefed on a scheme you are proposing in their ward. Having been elected to represent the interests of their constituents it should make perfe

The Queen rubber stamps the Localism Bill

November 15, 2011

The Queen gave her approval to the Localism Bill today, giving Royal Assent to the Bill and creating the Localism Act 2011.

Localism Bill awaits Royal Assent

November 10, 2011

The Localism Bill passed its final hurdle last night when the House of Commons voted to accept all the amendments made during its passage through the House of Lords.

New reports shed light on depth of housing crisis

August 31, 2011

Two reports published in the past week have highlighted the depth of the housing crisis facing the Government.

At Your Convenience

August 16, 2011

Even a cursory glance at the figures from the Office of National Statistics will show you that the UK's population is ageing, and rapidly. By 2035, 23 per cent of the population is projected to be aged 65 and over.

Concreting-over the countryside or simplifying the process?

August 16, 2011

Last week saw the publication of the new draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Rarely has any government consultation document prompted quite the level of debate that we have seen over the last few days.

Draft National Planning Policy Framework published

August 09, 2011

It was always going to be controversial: the replacement of over 1,300 pages of planning policy with a succinct 52-page document. In that respect, the National Planning Policy Framework (or ‘NPPF') has certainly lived up to its billing, with campaign grou

Localism Bill passes through the Lords Committee

July 21, 2011

Following ten days of scrutiny by the House of Lords Committee, the Localism Bill has now completed its committee stage in the upper chamber.

Proposed draft of the National Planning Policy Framework published

May 23, 2011

The Practitioner's Advisory Group set up by the Government to look at the National Planning Policy Framework has published its proposed draft, ahead of the formal draft which will be published later this year.

Localism Bill overcomes Commons hurdle

May 22, 2011

The Localism Bill completed its journey in the House of Commons last week, when it received its Report Stage and Third Reading and MPs voted to send it on to the Lords.

Lib Dems suffer double loss at local elections

May 09, 2011

The Liberal Democrats suffered a double blow in the local elections last week, losing councillors up and down the country on Thursday before the electorate voted resoundingly in favour of keeping the first past the post electoral system for electing membe

Localism Bill continues its progress through Parliament

May 05, 2011

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced the dates that the Report Stage and Third Reading for the Localism Bill will take place in the House of Commons, the final steps prior to it passing to the House of Lords.

Flint accuses Chancellor of sounding death knell of Localism

April 01, 2011

Day three of the budget debate saw the House of Commons discussing the specific provisions from the budget that related to planning. Interestingly, although planning featured heavily in the opening by Eric Pickles and Caroline Flint's response, it feature

Government announces 250m pounds to help first-time buyers

March 23, 2011

This afternoon, George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced his second budget since coming into office ten months ago. The speech, widely billed as the Growth Budget to contrast with last year's Austerity Budget, is charged with encouraging the

Localism Bill will add red tape to the planning system

March 16, 2011

A member of the Royal Town Planning Institute questioned the merits of the Localism Bill in an interview at the weekend, arguing that it would add unnecessary layers of bureaucracy to the planning system, rather than reducing it.

Groups voice concern at consultation threshold

February 16, 2011

Community groups have expressed alarm that the Government's proposed threshold for applications that subject to mandatory consultation would apply to between 0.4 and 0.8 of all planning applications.

CALA Homes loses second High Court Ruling

February 15, 2011

CALA Homes last week lost a High Court ruling which means that the intention to abolish Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) can be taken into account when determining planning applications.

Second reading leaves many unanswered questions

January 18, 2011

The Localism Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday, when MPs voted it through by 329 votes to 227. Earlier, a Labour motion to suspend the second reading had been defeated.

Neighbourhood planning comes under fire

January 12, 2011

The Government's proposals for neighbourhood planning came under fire this week in evidence to the Department of Communities and Local Government\'s Select Committee on localism.

New Homes Bonus under fire

January 12, 2011

The New Homes Bonus scheme, the incentive the Government says will ensure local authorities do not stop building, has come under criticism from a group of 21 top-tier authorities.

The New Homes Bonus scheme

January 07, 2011

A six-week consultation on the New Homes Bonus scheme closed on Christmas Eve, and the Government is now sifting through responses with a view to announcing the final details in time for it to come into force for the new financial year in April.

Presumption in favour of sustainable development to be included in planning framework

December 21, 2010

The government has published further details of the National Planning Policy Framework, confirming consultation will take place in 2011 but announcing a pre-consultation period for initial submissions.

Localism Bill finally published

December 15, 2010

After several false starts, the Localism Bill was finally published by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government, on Tuesday, following weeks of speculation and delay.

Government issues more advice on regional strategies

December 09, 2010

The Government has issued more advice to local authorities on what consideration is to be given to regional strategies, in another twist.

High Court puts temporary block on government RSS letter

November 29, 2010

The High Court has temporarily blocked the government claim that the intention to revoke Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) should form a material consideration in consideration of planning applications.

CALA Homes launches fresh legal challenge

November 23, 2010

The government sparked chaos in planning departments up and down the country last week, when it issued a letter to all local authorities telling them that the intention to revoke Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) should form a material consideration.

Local growth white paper published

November 05, 2010

The government reaffirmed its commitment to neighbourhood plans last week in the publication of a white paper on local growth. The plans will sit below local development plans in the newly structured planning system, and will be formulated by the local co

Councils to be given localism grant as part of New Homes Bonus scheme

October 22, 2010

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), unveiled details of the government's New Homes Bonus scheme yesterday which will include a contribution towards implementing the coalition's flagship localism agenda.

150,000 new affordable homes to be built in next four years

October 20, 2010

Announcing plans to slash the Department for Communities and Local Government's budget by over 30%, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, reaffirmed the government's commitment to widespread reform of the planning system, including devolving a

Government reneges on third party appeal

October 19, 2010

The Coalition government has announced what amounts to a climb down by both parties, by declaring that the much-discussed third part right of appeal will not be included in the forthcoming Devolution and Localism Bill.

Former housing minister to shadow DCLG

October 14, 2010

The new leader of the Labour party Ed Miliband announced his shadow cabinet last week, handing the role of shadowing the Department of Communities and Local Government to Caroline Flint, the former housing minister.

Big Society takes shape

August 02, 2010

Big Society takes shape

The Big Society, the idea that formed the centre piece of David Cameron's election manifesto, was fleshed out last week at a launch event in Liverpool.

Emergency Budget 2010

June 22, 2010

The coalitions first budget holds few surprises but many cuts.

Density Targets Scrapped

June 09, 2010

Minimum housing density targets and 'garden grabbing' sent to scrap heap by new government

Queen's speech includes planning reform

May 25, 2010

The queen used her customary speech to announce a raft of bills including the Decentralisation and Localism Bill.

Yes, Secretary

May 21, 2010

Coalition plans for planning

May 20, 2010

The coalition has new plans for local government, the planning system and environment...but nothing unexpected.

Election result proves inconclusive

May 07, 2010

Several high profile planning and regeneration spokespeople lost their seats in a general election that produced, as widely anticipated, the first hung parliament since 1974.

What are the parties proposing for planning?

April 16, 2010

The general election campaign is now well underway, and polls suggest that it will be the tightest race for a generation. The Tories' lead has been whittled down to single digits, leaving several distinct possibilities on the cards.

Leaked letter sets out Tory plans for RDAs

March 10, 2010

A leaked letter written by Ken Clarke and Caroline Spelman details the Conservative plan to scrap all regional development agencies (RDAs)...

Housing investment can mitigate care costs

March 02, 2010

A greater understanding of how investment in housing could mitigate future social care costs is imperative to council's getting to grips with their budgets, a new report has suggested.

Conservative Planning Green Paper Published

February 23, 2010

After months of delays, false starts and discussions, the Conservatives have today launched their much vaunted Planning Green Paper looking at proposals to reform the planning process should they come into power later in May.

Parties jostle over planning policy

February 09, 2010

Residents could be given the right to appeal against developments that have been granted planning permission under a future Conservative government in radical plans due to be set out later this month.

Political Party Policy - Pre Election

December 17, 2009

With the general election fast approaching and the polls pointing to a possible change in government, all eyes are turning to the three main parties' policies to see what's on offer.

Pre Budget Report

December 09, 2009

The PBR is presented in the autumn / winter, and provides a progress report on what the government has achieved since the previous Budget, an update on the state of the economy and public finances, and sets out the direction of government policy in the ru

Conservative Conference - Housing

October 09, 2009

Over the past few weeks, political parties have been vying to offer what they believe are the "best" policies covering a variety of topics. Tuesday's speech, by shadow housing minister Grant Shapps, put forward the Conservative party's position on plannin

Labour Conference - Housing

October 02, 2009

There can be no doubt the Labour Conference delivered many thought provoking speeches and plans for the party, and housing minister Healey's speech is included in this.

Infrastructure Planning Commission

October 01, 2009

The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), in place to decide major infrastructure planning proposals, was formally opened today, Thursday 1st October.

Liberal Democrat Conference

September 24, 2009

As the Conference season once again starts in earnest - the last before the expected elections in 2010 - all of the parties are busy telling the nation how they would tackle the current economic crisis alongside outlining their views on development and pl

Government outlines new economic duty regime

September 01, 2009

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill makes provision for the new local authority economic assessment (LEA) duty. This requires all county and unitary councils to prepare an assessment of the economic conditions of their specific

Government changes to Planning procedures.

May 06, 2009

A consultation on proposals for the new PPS4 was published today by the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett, Minister for Housing.

Greg Shapp's Housing Green Paper

April 09, 2009

It has now been announced that after previous attempts by Conservative MP Greg Clark pushing for a private members bill on redefining 'brownfield' sites to exclude gardens, the government has agreed to launch its own review into back garden development.

Matthew Taylor's Report on Affordable Housing

March 26, 2009

'Living Working Countryside', published 23 July 2008, was a government commissioned review undertaken by Matthew Taylor MP, to understand how to further support rural populations and provide a suitable amount of affordable housing.

Progress for the Independent Planning Commission

January 29, 2009

The Government has outlined that the new Independent Planning Commission (IPC), which will hold responsibility for the determination of projects of national significance will, potentially, be ready to start work by April 2010.

National Audit Office publishes planning applications report

December 18, 2008

The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a report entitled Planning for Homes: Speeding up planning applications for major housing developments in England.

Homes and Communities Agency launched

December 01, 2008

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), launched today, is a new housing and regeneration agency for England.

Final report of the Killian Pretty Review published

November 27, 2008

Joanna Killian, Chief Executive of Essex County Council and David Pretty, who recently retired as Group Chief Executive of Barratt Developments PLC have published the findings of their review into the process for seeking planning permission.

Lib Dems say ‘no’ to eco-towns

September 26, 2008

The Liberal Democrat annual conference has re-affirmed the party's opposition to the Government's eco-town policy.

Today Programme discusses the effectiveness of public consultation

September 26, 2008

The Today Programme, BBC Radio 4's flagship current affairs show, last week discussed the impact of New Labour's 2003 initiative...

Remarkable featured in Showhouse Magazine

September 19, 2008

The feature, entitled ‘Talk Back', explores how consultation has become a key discipline in the property and development industry...

Land seminar unites development industry

July 10, 2008

A seminar detailing how developers can best promote strategic land opportunities in the UK was held in Birmingham bringing together key players...

Blears boosts Planning Aid

June 02, 2008

The Rt. Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has announced a major expansion of Planning Aid today...

Brown announces draft legislative programme

May 15, 2008

The Prime Minister yesterday announced his draft legislative programme for the..

Proposals for homes to cater for the ageing

February 25, 2008

The Government is continuing its drive to deliver decent new homes today with plans being...

London Southend Airport turns to Remarkable

February 19, 2008

Caroline Flint MP appointed Housing Minister

January 25, 2008

Call-in Review Consultation

January 11, 2008

Key Regeneration Role for Latest Agency

January 11, 2008

Planning Reform Bill

November 28, 2007