Weekly planning news

New town in East Hertfordshire will go ahead

A court has refused a judicial review challenging the planning approval for a 10,000-home new town in Gilston, East Hertfordshire, clearing the way for the development to proceed. The project forms part of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town initiative and had received outline planning permission from East Herts District Council earlier this year. 

According to an article published in Housing Today¹, registered provider Places for People will deliver 8,500 homes, including nearly 2,000 affordable properties, alongside community infrastructure valued at over £1 billion. The development is expected to generate around £6 billion in economic benefits. Taylor Wimpey will deliver the remaining 1,500 homes, 345 of which will be affordable. 

Some enabling works at Gilston have already begun, and both council officials and developers welcomed the court’s ruling.  

The decision marks a major step forward in tackling local housing shortages and providing much-needed homes for those struggling to get on the property ladder. It also comes at a pivotal moment for the industry, as developers and planners await the government’s official announcement on the locations of future new towns.

Breaking: Built Environment Committee publish New Towns report

The Built Environment Committee has released its preliminary findings on the government’s new towns project, warning that the initiative is underdeveloped and lacks a clear vision.  

The report, published on 19 September, calls for a more compelling national strategy, explaining what the new towns are for, what they should achieve, and why they matter, to secure the necessary support from investors, local authorities, and the public. 

The Committee’s report also stresses that success of the New Towns project should not be measured solely by the increase in housing numbers. New towns must drive inclusive, sustainable growth, reduce regional inequality, and serve as models of high-quality urban design. It also recommends appointing a dedicated senior minister to lead the programme and ensure cross-government coordination and accountability. 

The committee have urged an 'infrastructure-first' approach, with transport, utilities, schools, health facilities, shops, and community spaces in place from the outset, whilst calling for robust but flexible masterplans, national design standards alongside local codes, and meaningful early engagement with communities to build trust and legitimacy. 

On delivery, locally led development corporations are highlighted as the preferred model, with government retaining a small ownership stake to reassure investors. The report emphasises long-term stewardship, patient investment, and innovative financing mechanisms, including capturing land value to reinvest in infrastructure and local services. 

While supportive of the overall new towns ambition, the Committee warned that without urgent action on vision, leadership, and delivery, the programme risks repeating past mistakes. Clear planning, strong oversight, and community involvement will be crucial if new towns are to succeed at scale. 

“The Government has a major opportunity to deliver high-quality, affordable, and sustainable new towns and expanded settlements at scale. However, as it stands, the Government’s programme lacks a clear, engaging vision that provides a rationale for these new towns,” said Lord Gascoigne, chair of the Committee. 

Interested in learning more about New Towns? Don’t miss our session ‘Opportunities and challenges for the Government's new towns initiative’ at the National Planning Conference 2025. Get your ticket now.² 

Environment Agency told to do as 'little as legally possible' to prevent housing approvals  

According to an article published in The Guardian³, the Environment Agency have been told to do as ‘little as possible’ to obstruct the delivery of housing. 

It has been claimed that ministers have instructed the Environment Agency to take a minimal role in reviewing planning applications as part of a government push to speed up housing and infrastructure development, boost economic growth, and address a budget shortfall, with the agency reportedly told to do “the minimum legally required” to block developments. 

Talking to the Guardian⁴, The Environment Agency has denied being directed to automatically approve applications and said it continues to provide robust technical advice; however, it does report that staff from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have been brought in to help fast-track approvals. 

The move is part of a wider government agenda to reduce the number of quangos, with the environment department among those potentially targeted. Some senior figures have expressed frustration at environmental rules, including nutrient neutrality restrictions, which can halt developments to protect rivers and wildlife. Critics argue that weakening or bypassing the Environment Agency could threaten biodiversity and environmental protections. 

Furthermore, environmental campaigners warn that deregulation may lead to poorly designed developments, increased pollution, and reduced access to nature, while independent regulation is essential for both environmental and economic sustainability. 

Interested in learning more about the future of environmental measures and protection for the development sector? Don’t miss our session Building our future: Navigating the impact of environmental legislation at the National Planning Conference 2025. Don’t miss out, book your tickets today.⁵ 

1. https://www.housingtoday.co.uk/news/judge-upholds-planning-approval-for-10000-home-east-herts-new-town-scheme/5138309.article
2. https://www.nationalplanningconference.co.uk/
3. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/19/ministers-tell-environment-agency-to-wave-planning-applications-through
4. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/19/ministers-tell-environment-agency-to-wave-planning-applications-through
5. https://www.nationalplanningconference.co.uk/