Weekly planning news

Government rules out major second planning bill but signals further legislative reforms

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which passed through the House of Lords last month, is expected to receive Royal Assent by the end of the year. According to Planning Resource¹, Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has indicated that, despite recent speculation, the government is not developing a second major planning bill. However, he suggested that more targeted legislative updates are likely during this parliamentary term. 

Speaking at a conference on 1 December, Pennycook said that the remaining reforms under consideration are not extensive enough to justify a standalone bill, stating that he does not believe “there are enough of those types of measures required to make up a whole new piece of legislation.” He also implied that the reforms the government still wishes to progress may instead be delivered through targeted legislative updates, rather than a full bill. 

Curious how the last 12 months of planning reform have influenced planning submission patterns? Dive into our 2025 Index series  - Q3 2025 is out now².

Homes England gives TFL £23m infrastructure grant

Homes England has awarded a £23 million infrastructure grant to Transport for London (TfL), marking a major step towards regenerating two key brownfield sites at Thamesmead Waterfront and Beckton Riverside. 

The funding will deliver a new Bus Transit link connecting Thamesmead with Abbey Wood and Woolwich Elizabeth line stations. The route will strengthen existing bus corridors and improve access for future residents ahead of the planned Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension, confirmed by government in the 2025 Autumn Budget. 

The project is expected to pave the way for 25,000 - 30,000 new homes and two new communities across 145 hectares spanning Newham and Greenwich. 

The grant comes from the London Brownfield Infrastructure and Land (BIL) Fund, designed to accelerate development on underused land and support large-scale regeneration across the capital. 

You can find out more on the government’s website.³

Online appeals service now available nationally

The Planning Inspectorate has launched its new online appeals service to all local planning authorities (LPAs) in England, completing a key milestone in its digital transformation programme announced earlier this year. 

From 1 December 2025, every LPA can now manage Householder (HAS), Planning (S78) and Listed Building (S20) appeals through the new digital platform, designed to streamline casework and improve communication between applicants, authorities and inspectors. 

The rollout begins the transition away from the existing Appeals Casework Portal (ACP). While new cases for the updated appeal types must now be submitted through the online service, any appeals already started in ACP will continue to be managed there until completion. 

LPAs can access the service using the primary email address held on record and a login code system. Authorities are encouraged to set up individual accounts for staff to simplify access. 

To support users, the Planning Inspectorate has published video tutorials, service demonstrations, and guidance on the appeals process. 

You can find out more on the government’s website⁴.

1. https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1941599/no-second-planning-bill-further-planning-legislation-parliament-pennycook-says
2. https://www.terraquest.co.uk/news-and-insights/q3-planning-application-index-2025
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/homes-england-awards-23-million-infrastructure-grant-in-latest-step-towards-unlocking-wide-scale-regeneration-and-thousands-of-new-homes-in-london
4. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-online-appeals-service-now-available-to-all-local-planning-authorities-in-england