Our knowledge bank contains articles, thought pieces and resources on a range of planning issues.
Vacant Building Credit
Comments by Alastair Skelton, Partner
July 2015
"An important national planning policy shift has taken place but many local planning authorities are not fully implementing the policy as intended by Government."
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
Enforcement and the Proceeds of Crime Act
Comments by Harry Tonge, Graduate Planner
1 February 2011
"Local Planning Authorities have powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to confiscate any financial gains which are made as a result of a breach of planning control."
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
The Localism Bill - A Summary
Comments by Richard Percy, Partner
22 December 2010
"Like accountants after the budget, many planning and lobbying consultants were burning the midnight oil last week in order to produce their first impressions of the Localism Bill. Now that the dust has settled somewhat, we have produced our own thoughts on the Bill and its implications for planning."
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
Planning for Cultural Cities
Comments by Richard Percy, Partner
22 July 2009
"This month culture secretary Ben Bradshaw announced that the race was on to find the UK’s first City of Culture. Following on from Liverpool’s success as European Capital of Culture in 2008, the winning city will become a focus for national attention in 2013 – with lasting economic and social benefits the intended legacy"
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
Is the time really right for new planning regulations?
Comments by Christie McDonald, Associate
26 June 2009
"A recent report from the House of Commons Health Committee highlights that whilst the overall wellbeing of the nation is improving, health inequalities between social classes have in fact widened over the past ten years – with the health of the rich improving far quicker than that of the poor."
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
SAA Backs Decision to Delay CIL Introduction
Comments by Steven Abbott, Partner
18 February 2009
"With the recent announcement that the UK has now officially entered a period of recession, the Government decision to push back the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) provides some respite for our beleaguered developers and in particular house builders."
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
Proportionality in Planning
Comments by Christie McDonald, Associate
3rd December 2008
"With many businesses across the UK struggling to break even (never mind turn a profit), the recent Killian Pretty Review should receive a warm response from organisations waiting to move on development proposals held up in the bureaucracy of the current planning application process."
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
RSS and the Central Lancashire City Region – widening the approach
Comments by Alastair Skelton, Partner
7th November 2008
"On 30th September 2008, the long awaited North West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) was published,
with an overall objective to bring together economic, social and environmental planning issues into a single coherent framework. The principal story to hit the headlines from the completed strategy is a recommendation that the region should deliver 413,000 new homes by 2021, thereby raising the North West’s housing target by more than half. Understandably during such a difficult economic period (particularly for the housing sector) this new target has raised eyebrows, but it has also diverted attention away from a less conspicuous component of the RSS which delivers a significant change in direction from earlier regional planning guidance –a focus on the Central Lancashire City Region as a key target for economic growth."
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
Regional Spatial Strategy – will it deliver in the current economic climate?
Comments by Steven Abbott, Partner
22nd September 2008
"This month should see the end of a typically long process to deliver a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the North West. The RSS sets out Government strategic planning policies for the region over a fifteen to twenty year period. This links economic, social and environmental issues within a framework under which planning applications have to be assessed by local authorities."
Click here to read full article
................................................................................................................................................................................
If you have your own idea for suggestions for future content or would like to contribute a piece, please let us know at harryt@abbott-associates.co.uk
For more information on the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) please click here. 
