Weekly planning news
Planning news - 16 May 2025
Nature recovery plans under review in planning bill amendments
As the government continues to refine the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, recent amendments focus on how Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) will be assessed under the proposed nature recovery framework.
The Bill introduces a new centralised nature restoration fund, shifting developers away from site-by-site ecological assessments toward strategic contributions. Under the proposals, Natural England will manage funds and deliver recovery plans based on geographic EDPs.
Key updates include:
- EDPs now require conservation measures to be delivered within a ten-year timeframe and demonstrate how they will be maintained over time.
- Amendments clarify the “overall improvement test”, which an EDP must pass before being approved by the Secretary of State.
- Natural England would also gain new compulsory purchase powers to acquire land for environmental purposes.
- Provisions to protect statutory undertaker rights (e.g., utility and transport operators) following land acquisition have been added.
While the amendments aim to provide greater clarity and structure, they have received mixed feedback. Some in the planning and environmental sectors welcome the clearer delivery timelines, while others raise concerns that delaying the impact of mitigation up to ten years could undermine the intended outcomes.
At Planning Portal, we are monitoring this evolving legislation closely. With over 95% of all planning applications in England submitted via our platform, we understand how legislative shifts like these will impact developers, local authorities, and environmental stakeholders alike. Our insights will continue to support informed, strategic decision-making as this Bill progresses.
High court overturns inspector’s Green Belt housing rejection for ignoring key NPPF rules
A recent High Court ruling has highlighted the importance of correctly applying all aspects of national planning policy when determining green belt developments. The court quashed a planning inspector’s decision to refuse a 120-home scheme in Beaconsfield after finding that the inspector failed to consider the updated “golden rules” permitting green belt release, under the fledgling 'grey belt' designation.
While the inspector determined that the site did not qualify as ‘grey belt’, he overlooked additional release criteria introduced in December 2023. These more permissive "golden rules" allow green belt developments to be considered appropriate if they deliver key benefits such as affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and accessible green space.
By failing to assess whether the 120-home scheme met these requirements, the inspector omitted material considerations that could have supported the case for approval. The appeal will now be reconsidered, and costs were awarded against the Secretary of State.
This ruling is a reminder of how essential it is to fully understand the planning context of any site, especially in the green belt or conservation areas. When assessing land for development, being aware of evolving policy and how they apply locally is crucial.
If you're exploring land options and need clarity linking land finding and policy advice, speak to our team1 to see how we can support your next steps.
Consultation opens on new London Plan
On Friday 9 May, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launched a six-week consultation on the next London Plan.
The Plan sets out housing targets and identifies where new development should go - shaping London’s growth through to 2050.
While a fresh Plan is required every five years, this version looks further ahead, addressing long-term housing need. The government now expects London to deliver 88,000 new homes each year—36,000 more than the current target.
To meet demand, the Mayor plans to prioritise brownfield land, with potential for limited green belt release where necessary. Any release will come with strict requirements around affordability, biodiversity and infrastructure.
The consultation, titled Towards a new London Plan, runs until 22 June 2025. A draft Plan will follow in 2026.
Find out more on the Greater London Authority website2.
- https://www.terraquest.co.uk/products-services/land-development-services
- https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/planning/planning-consultations/towards-new-london-plan
