May '24 Planning Applications Update

Last month we helped local councils comment on a range of planning applications, permission in principle (PiP) applications and neighbourhood development orders (NDO). 

In Milton Keynes we acted as expert witness for a town council at a planning appeal where the council is on the side of the applicant! We are now waiting for the Inspector’s decision but are confident of success and will post more when we hear.

Some developers like to think that the PiP route offers them an easier route to planning permission. We have helped a local council is Oxfordshire succeed in helping to get two applications refused, even working within the tighter consultation timetable.

In Essex, we have helped a local council convince the Secretary of State to step in to screen its NDO for environmental impact assessment. We think this is a first and so will help inform others looking to use NDOs.