So long 2024 – what a year of change you proved to be. Out with the Conservative Party, in with Labour, a new National Planning Policy Framework, the launch of Biodiversity Net Gain, the introduction of the Grey Belt to … Continued

Cast your minds back to the 26th October 2023 when the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill gained Royal Assent and became an Act.  It was then that we knew that the 4-year time limit for bringing enforcement action against operational … Continued

Navigating the planning system is something that most people will have to do at one point or another in their lives. Whether it be enlarging your home or constructing that swimming pool you have always dreamed of. However, it’s crucial … Continued

(There is an update piece to this article, dated 18th April 2024 – read more here .) A number of our clients and prospective clients have been asking us for an update on the 4 year rule. When we wrote … Continued

Summer 2023 –  well it is still hanging on in there, gifting us the 6th wettest July on record.  Never have we seen the term ‘changeable’ bandied around with such aplomb.  But as the rain hammers down, there is something … Continued

Our client owned an extensive pig farm but had to diversify in order to adapt to a challenging market.  Part of their diversification included converting the various barns and farm buildings into industrial units.   Given the success of this venture, … Continued

Infographic showing end of 4year rule for LDCs

(There is an update piece to this article, dated 21st December 2023 – read more here.) The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, currently under House of Commons Committee debate, could make significant changes to the planning regulation landscape.  One of … Continued

stock image of house fronts

A recent project dealt with this very point. Our client was seeking to merge two dwellings into one single dwelling. But does this amalgamation constitute development?  Well, it’s quite a grey area in planning and the answer is, you’ve guessed … Continued

Use Class Order The Town and Country Planning Use Class Order puts uses of land and buildings into various categories known as ‘Use Classes’. Sui generis uses lie outside the Use Class Order.  On 1 September 2020, the Use Class … Continued

Step 1 – ascertain the current use Check what the current use is. This may be available from the planning history search on your council’s website. How long has the use been going on for? If over 10 years then … Continued