Lewis Silkin heads legal think tank on planning changes
17 June 2020
Following the COVID19 outbreak, The Law Society wrote to the Minister of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with a list of proposed recommendations to assist with planning during the coronavirus pandemic.
Particular emphasis was made on the need to implement sustainable measures that would help not only in the short term but also following recovery.
Some of those recommendations have now been implemented. However, even though the lock down is beginning to ease, there are many further reforms that could usefully be introduced and since the immediate crisis has passed there is time to give these fuller consideration.
An initial meeting has been arranged this week between The Law Society, The Planning and Environmental Bar Association and the MCHLG to discuss future changes. Lewis Silkin’s Head of Planning, Sara Hanrahan, has been appointed to chair the joint working group.
The agenda will cover the following items:
- Guidance on remote meetings
- Further revisions to permitted development rights
- Extension of determination periods and planning expiry dates
- S106 timescales and fast track re-assessment of affordable housing
- Relaxation of CIL
- Housing delivery targets and supply
Lewis Silkin would welcome feedback on the above and any other ideas that would assist with planning during and following the current crisis.
If you wish to provide any comments please contact Sara Hanrahan on T 020 7074 8327 M 07769646881