Rob Lucas

Three Rivers District Council: Local Plan Holding Direction letter

Three Rivers’ emerging local plan proposes to meet only 56% of identified local housing need.

As I have little confidence it is satisfactory and capable of being found sound, I’ve issued a holding direction while I consider whether to take further action 👇🏻

www.gov.uk/government/p...

Peter Bill on X: "Previously unpublished government report from 2022 on the root causes of planning delays. https://t.co/dIeT4zBZAQ https://t.co/lirdOu58st" / X Previously unpublished government report from 2022 on the root causes of planning delays. https://t.co/dIeT4zBZAQ https://t.co/lirdOu58st

x.com/peterpropert...

The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become

Consider this. The consultation draft of new draft national planning policy has the need to say, to local planning authorities: “Not refuse applications for development which should clearly be approved..”. Remarkable and shocking that it needs to be said at all.

YouTube video by Have We Got Planning News For You The New National Planning Policy Framework, December 2025 (S17 E6)

Our National Planning Policy Framework special episode is now available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvT2...

There is no end point - just a long journey. I have some planning practice ideas….new legislation and guidance not required. Changes in mindset and attention to the proper presumptions. Might publish when have some time.

Sidelined Cheshire East formally opposes Adlington new town - Place North West The council will ask the government to abandon plans to create a 20,000-home settlement in the Green Belt after a cross-party motion was carried this week.

Not today thanks or any day thanks.

Planning Inspectorate on X: "New local plan system launching early 2026 Following today’s ministerial statement, we're sharing important news about the future of local plan development in England. Read more: https://t.co/3WlaXvur8G #LocalPlan #Planning @mhclg https://t.co/nGIH2gSPcl" / X New local plan system launching early 2026 Following today’s ministerial statement, we're sharing important news about the future of local plan development in England. Read more: https://t.co/3WlaXvur8G #LocalPlan #Planning @mhclg https://t.co/nGIH2gSPcl

Planners. You have 30 months. That’s still a long time.

And there was a time when content was not all over the papers in advance. Expect a rabbit and hat.

Smorgasbord is such an over used and lazy budget word. Nothing in the carefully curated mix will please the scribblers and posters.

Really? Not beautiful. Birmingham City ‘Power Station’ stadium. Your application is refused. Must try harder.

Councils to lose power to block large housing developments The housing secretary will take the ability to veto local objections and speed up planning delays, but councils see it as an attack on local democracy

Councils to lose power to block large housing developments

Approve it or lose it.

AI-powered nimbyism could grind UK planning system to a halt, experts warn Tools that help people scan applications and find grounds for objection have potential to hit government’s housebuilding plans

If you're ever upset about the state of US land use policy, just spend 30 seconds reading anything about the UK. Automated NIMBYism!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Pro-growth package unshackling Britain to get building Pro-growth changes to the government's landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill to get Britain building faster.

Lots of unshackling - for others. Oh good. Also need to look at why Govt departments and casework fails to meet time targets. A look closer to home. Work faster.

Small is beautiful - if you can ever get planning permission www.hbf.co.uk/research-ins...

Development Corporations, not all green field, 10 principles, good spread, ways around the barriers of current planning system (maybe). All in the delivery. Read all about it. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d694...

PM backs “true patriots” to lead UK renewal with £5bn investment New powers let residents reclaim beloved assets and drive patriotic renewal, street by street – delivering on the Plan for Change.

Community CPOs interesting

British NIMBYism is truly a sight to behold.

“We are rejecting this solar farm, because one time I saw an electric vehicle on fire, which reminded me that decades ago a coal mining disaster killed lots of children”.

Rayner set to hit English councils that block new housing with tougher sanctions Local authorities could be forced to approve new developments or risk giving planning control to Whitehall

The answer is make the required full housing provision and stop playing politics. Institutions would agree I am sure.

How to build a new town — and avoid the pitfalls of the past A dozen communities are in line to deliver affordable housing and boost growth. Can they dodge the old problems of shoddy construction and concrete cows?

How to build a new town — and avoid the pitfalls of the past

www.thetimes.com/article/4324...

New towns will be boring, soulless and full of roundabouts, say voters Survey says residents should be given more freedom to design their homes and neighbourhoods

Tame the highway engineers, reduce density and innovate. It will take more than Govt PR.

www.thetimes.com/article/3dcd...

A tangled web of planning.

High volumes of planning applications

Time is not of the essence. It would seem.

Summary: Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Government Amendments to Part 3 (Lords Committee Stage)

www.gov.uk/government/p...

www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/ne...

We haven’t only made it too difficult to build, but too risky Dick Whittington would find nowhere to live were he to turn up in London today, given the shortage of affordable housing and new homes under construction

The many hurdles of building homes in London. Who would take the risk?

30,000 new homes are coming to Greater Manchester Nearly 30,000 new homes are set to be built across Greater Manchester as leaders back three mayoral development corporations to accelerate regeneration and tackle the region’s housing crisis.

MDCs for GMCA in GtMc.

Upcoming changes to written representation appeals

Appealing

This is how you get the sick back to work Cutting benefits is no incentive, the government has to convince claimants that finding a job is truly good for them

This is what’s wrong: and the solutions?

PM unveils AI breakthrough to slash planning delays and help build 1.5 million homes: 9 June 2025 Planning permissions will be sped up as the Government rolls out a new AI tool which can scan hundreds of files in seconds – making it easier to make home improvements, while turbocharging the Plan fo...

Anything to speed the process but I suspect it’s not decades old documents that is the culprit.