With the Government’s intensified focus on accelerating housing delivery, the topic is surfacing daily. (Source: Flickr) Policy is now more pro-growth than it has been in years, reflected in a series of major reforms: The current NPPF (adopted December 2024) introduced mandatory housing targets, a new “Grey Belt” definition and “Golden Rules” for development in the Green Belt. Further pro-growth revisions are expected. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, now progressing thr

The Government has reiterated that the plan-led approach is, and must remain, the cornerstone of the planning system. This is because the absence of an up-to-date local plan significantly increases the risk of piecemeal, speculative development and limited public engagement. Local plans are also the key mechanism through which communities can influence how housing, infrastructure and wider development needs are met in their area. (Source: Chris McAndrew) The Government has th

After months of speculation that froze decision-making across the property sector, Chancellor Rachel Reeves finally delivered her Spring Budget. The Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) forecasts paint a mixed picture. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2026 has been revised - down to 1.4%, though 2025 is expected to reach 1.5% - partly boosted by households rushing property transactions ahead of stamp duty changes. This serves as a reminder of just how central housi

Recent parliamentary evidence has confirmed that National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) will carry non-statutory status, positioning them as guidance rather than binding policy. This places them on a similar footing to the National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG), rather than the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). For practitioners and clients alike, this is a significant detail that will shape how we navigate the planning system in the months and years ah

Congratulations! Your planning application has been approved. But before you start celebrating and ordering skips, take a moment to read through your decision notice carefully. Chances are that your approval comes with a list of planning conditions attached. Understanding these conditions is crucial to staying on the right side of the planning system and avoiding costly delays or enforcement action. (Source: Bill Kasman via Geograph Britain and Ireland ) What Are Planning Con

Established in August 2024 by the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, the New Homes Accelerator is a specialist initiative aimed...

The Inspectors examining the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Joint Local Plan (JLP) has issued a stark recommendation: the plan...

Urban design often claims to serve everyone yet, in practice, many of our public spaces quietly exclude half the population. Perkins &...

There is a significant reform happening in England's planning system that could fundamentally alter how development decisions are made in...

At Bluestone Planning, we are always pleased to share examples of positive appeal outcomes, particularly where they relate to sensitive...

The latest figures from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) paint a stark picture for England’s housing supply. Planning permissions for...

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner is preparing to introduce tougher sanctions on English...

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has signalled that the government is preparing to make sweeping changes to environmental...

Brief History The concept of a Garden City is not new; in fact, it was introduced back in 1898 by an English town planner – Ebenezer...

Following Watford Council's adoption of comprehensive co-living planning standards in July 2025, joining Birmingham and the Greater...

As a planning consultant at Bluestone Planning, I regularly advise clients considering self-build projects, commercial developments or...

On 26 th  July 2025, the Government announced a new set of planning and licensing reforms aimed at supporting the growth of hospitality...

The UK Government has launched a consultation on proposals to significantly relax Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for small to...

The UK government has announced a major shift in the planning appeals process that aims to deliver faster decisions and reduce red tape....

Welcome back to Part 2 of our self-build guide. If you have not already, check out Part 1 - Starting Your Self-Build Journey – From...