News

09.12.2025

The Government has indicated that the long-awaited draft update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is expected to be published before Parliament rises for the Christmas recess on 18 December. The update forms a key part of the new administration’s wider planning reform agenda.

25.11.2025

The Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill has successfully cleared the House of Lords and is now set to gain Royal Assent, following assurances on some of the bill’s more controversial nature recovery provisions. The House of Lords debated 17 motions on 24 November, most of which related to whether the Lords should insist on amendments they had made earlier that were subsequently overturned by the House of Commons.

18.11.2025

The Government has announced a significant shift in national planning policy, confirming that new homes proposed near well-connected railway and tram stations will, in future, receive a default “yes” – provided they meet specified criteria. The measure forms part of the next phase of reforms intended to accelerate housing delivery and support the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament.

18.11.2025

The Government has announced a package of reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of the statutory consultee system in England. The reforms, outlined by Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, seek to ensure that statutory consultees provide timely, proportionate, and practical advice to support high-quality development and confident decision-making.

17.11.2025

DHA Planning continues to follow the progression of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, particularly the elements relating to nature recovery, environmental delivery plans (EDPs) and the proposed Nature Restoration Fund (NRF). Please read on for the latest update.

10.11.2025

The Supreme Court has overturned a previous refusal relating to nutrient neutrality, confirming that Local Planning Authorities cannot revisit matters already approved at the outline planning stage when considering later applications or the discharge of conditions. Please read on for further details.

03.11.2025

DHA Planning closely follows the developments surrounding the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, particularly its implications for nature recovery and sustainable development. On Friday, the House of Lords voted to amend the bill, limiting the scope of its nature recovery provisions to air and water quality impacts at a strategic landscape scale. Please read on for further details.

15.10.2025

DHA Planning Group is delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for two categories at the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2025, one of the most esteemed recognitions in the planning industry.

14.10.2025

The UK government has proposed several significant amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, currently under review in the House of Lords. These proposed changes aim to streamline the planning process, tackle delays, and enhance the delivery of critical infrastructure and housing projects. With a particular focus on addressing ongoing challenges in the planning system, the government seeks to accelerate development, support the renewable energy agenda, and ensure timely project delivery. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates that could reshape the landscape of planning permissions and development across the country.

06.10.2025

Significant planning reforms are expected to be announced ahead of next month’s Budget, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves looks to boost investment and address the UK’s slow economic growth. Please read on for further details.

12.09.2025

The new Housing Secretary, Steve Reed MP, has today issued an emphatic “call to arms” to developers, housebuilders and the planning industry, urging them to help deliver 1.5 million homes in this Parliament under the banner of “Build, Baby, Build”

09.09.2025

Following our article in April on the Court of Appeal overturning a High Court decision that had previously allowed planning permission for 473 homes — due to a Council’s failure to publish a draft Section 106 agreement prior to granting approval—another judgment has now quashed a Council’s consent for 181 homes on similar grounds. This latest ruling reaffirms the legal requirement for draft Section 106 agreements to be made public before planning decisions are issued.

02.09.2025

As part of ongoing reforms to the planning system, the government has proposed amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill focused on nature recovery and environmental protections. These changes have important implications for how future development and conservation efforts will be balanced. Below, we provide a summary of the key proposals and what they could mean in practice for developers, landowners, and local authorities.

01.09.2025

The planning profession faces a critical challenge following the government’s announcement to withdraw funding for Level 7 (master’s level) planning apprenticeships for individuals aged 22 and over from 2026. This decision risks reducing the number of skilled planners entering the sector, particularly impacting local authorities where demand is greatest. DHA Planning responds to these concerns and highlights the urgent need for a strategic approach to safeguard the future planning workforce.

02.07.2025

On 25th June 2025, the Government published a new guidance note outlining key changes to the written representation appeals process — a move intended to speed up decision-making and bring greater clarity and consistency to the planning appeals system. The reforms are part of wider efforts to modernise the planning system and reduce delays in development delivery.

16.06.2025

The Government is preparing to overhaul the planning system through a new National Scheme of Delegation, designed to accelerate decision-making by giving planning officers greater authority. Read on for full details of the proposed changes and their potential impact.

09.06.2025

On Thursday 5th June, a team from DHA smashed its ambitious target of running and cycling 1,000 miles in 24 hours, raising more than £6,000 for three charities. Find out more below.

22.04.2025

The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court ruling, which had allowed planning permission for the erection of 473 new homes on land in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, due to the Council failing to publish the Section 106 planning obligation on its website prior to permission being granted.

06.03.2025

A Court of Appeal judgment has confirmed that National Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) has “equivalent” legal status to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The ruling means that planners are going to have to pay more attention to the former, say legal experts, and clarifies how councils and developers should approach the flood risk sequential test.

05.02.2025

According to experts, a recent Court of Appeal ruling quashing a council’s consent for changes to a solar farm and electricity substation permission is a “landmark” decision that has major implications for the scope of variations that can be made under section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. DHA Planning's Laura Jackson considers this further below.

07.01.2025

24.07.2024

01.07.2024