Description
UK planning authorities face increasing complexity balancing housing land supply rules with emerging environmental requirements like nutrient neutrality and biodiversity net gain, all amidst systemic reforms and resource constraints.
Key Points:
- Local authorities must maintain a five-year housing land supply; failure triggers a presumption in favour of sustainable development.
- New environmental regulations mandate nutrient neutrality and biodiversity net gain, delaying planning approvals and requiring specialist assessments.
- Planning system reforms include national policies, relaxed housing targets, and extended enforcement periods, further complicating local delivery.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the implications of housing land supply shortfalls on local planning policy and development approvals.
- Learn how nutrient neutrality and biodiversity net gain requirements reshape the planning application process and impact development viability.
- Recognise how planning reform proposals and staff shortages influence the timeliness and effectiveness of local plan preparation and approvals.
