The government has today published its draft Localism Bill that will bring forward huge changes to the UK planning system.
Communities secretary Eric Pickles said the new bill – which will be laid before Parliament later this afternoon – would return powers to local councils and communities. It includes measures to …

The government is set to introduce a presumption in favour of viable development as part of its national planning framework, which is due to be published next year.
The rule will mean that, in areas lacking their own “neighbourhood plans” that have been put together by local communities, developments that are …

A planning application has been submitted for the regeneration of Hammersmith town centre, including demolition of the council’s Town Hall extension.
Following three years of public consultation, the application has been submitted to the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham for the regeneration of the western end of King Street in …

The £4.5bn regeneration of Brent Cross and Cricklewood has been given final planning consent by Barnet council after 10 years of preparation.
Hammerson is set to develop the north-west London scheme with investment from Standard Life, covering 250 acres over the next 20 years.
The consent includes section 106 payments of around …

What it is: The government has set out its plan for growth in the UK regions in the absence of regional development agencies, which are due to be closed down by 2012.
When it came out: 28 October 2010
Why it is important: It sets out changes to the planning system, more …

The government has given the green light to 24 partnerships between local businesses and councils to replace regional development agencies (RDAs).
Speaking today in parliament, business secretary Vince Cable said that 24 groups of local authorities and private companies had successfully bid over the summer to form so-called local enterprise partnerships, …

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has instructed Colliers International to conduct a retail and leisure study of Rotherham following a competitive tender.
The study will provide an evidence base for the Rotherham local development framework, which will cover the period up to 2027, and inform any retail policies and proposals that come …

Birmingham City Council is set lose 79 full-time posts as it merges its planning and regeneration departments into a single team.
Its plan will mean cutting the team by one third, and setting up smaller planning and regeneration teams based in different areas across the city. It means all staff in …

What it is: Planning consultant Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners has published an economic outlook document, looking at the impact of policies set out in the comprehensive spending review last week.
When it came out: 22 October 2010.
Why it is important: The consultant has looked at key points from the budget and …

Trudi Elliot has been appointed as chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Elliot joins the RTPI from the now-abolished Government Office for the West Midlands, where she has been director since 2006. She will take up the position from 4 January 2011.
Elliot said: “These are challenging times for …