FJ Urban Planning

24/01/2024

Green belt policy is an urban and land use planning tool that many cities around the world have used and adapted to local circumstances. It is a designated area of land that surrounds a city or urban area and is reserved for agricultural, recreational, and environmental purposes. The green belt land that encloses Greater London is referred to as the Metropolitan Greenbelt. This article is a short introduction to greenbelt policy.

16/01/2024

Neighbourhood planning was introduced to the English Town Planning system through the localism Act 2011 and is a statutory planning tool that allows communities to shape the development of their local area. In London, neighbourhood planning has become an increasingly important tool for communities to have a say in the future developments of their neighbourhoods. This article is a short introduction to the neighbourhood planning process in England.

09/01/2024

To simplify matters there are two legs to the UK planning system one plan making and two plan management and implementation. This article will focus on the former which involves the formulation and adoption of land use planning policy to guide and direct future developments in an area.

See this article for planning policy tips.

02/01/2024

Planning committees give democratic legitimacy to contentious planning decisions. The scheme of delegation sets out when an planning application can be determined by planning officers under delegated powers and when planning committee consideration is required. It is important for property developers to be aware of how the decision making duties of a local planning authority are discharged.

26/12/2023

Planning performance agreements (PPAs) are a type of agreement between a local planning authority (LPA) and a property developer that sets out the approach to the project management of the assessment and determination of a planning application that is likely to give rise to complex issues. PPAs are typically used in cases where the LPA and the property developer are seeking to ensure that there are adequate resources in place to prioritize the assessment of a complex development proposal. A PPA is not a contract and negotiations should be between property developers and planning officers and should be considered a memorandum of understanding.

See article for tips on planning performance agreements.

19/12/2023

Planning applications for commercial development and logistics centers are crucial to the economic growth and development of the UK. These types of developments can help to create new jobs, capture investment, improve transport infrastructure and contribute to a local economy. However, the planning process can be complex and there are many factors to consider when preparing to submit a commercial development application.

12/12/2023

You may be familiar with s106 agreements, affordable housing contributions, and viability reports. However, for those new to the world of real estate development in the UK, these terms can be confusing and overwhelming. This article explores the meaning of these terms and their applications during the planning process.

05/12/2023

The community infrastructure levy (CIL) is a development tax that is charged on new developments in the UK. It is a way for local authorities to raise funds to pay for the infrastructure needed to support new development, such as roads, schools, and public transport. The precise method by which CIL is to be calculated and applied to development is set out in the community infrastructure levy regulations.

See link to article on community infrastructure levy for tips.

28/11/2023

Section 73 and section 96a planning applications are two types of applications that can be used to modify or vary a previously granted planning permission. These applications can be useful if you want to make minor changes to a development that has already been approved, or if you need to vary the conditions such as materials of an existing planning permission, to correct errors on drawings or as an alternative to a retrospective planning application.

See article for tips on section minor material and non-material amendments.

Section 73 and section 96a planning applications are two types of applications that can be used to modify or vary a previously granted planning permission. These applications can be useful for those wanting to make minor changes to a development that has already been approved, such as varying condit...

23/11/2023

Commercial permitted development to residential change of use refers to the process of converting a commercial property such as an office building or a light industrial premises into a residential dwelling(s). This type of change of use is typically allowed under certain circumstances without the need for a full planning application. This form of development is essentially a change of use permitted development scheme.

See article for tips on commercial to residential permitted change of use.

Commercial permitted development to residential change of use refers to the process of repurposing a commercial property such as an office building or a light industrial premises for residential use. This type of change of use is typically allowed under certain circumstances without the need for a f...

21/11/2023

The redevelopment of brownfield sites in London for small to medium sized housing schemes can be a cost-effective and sustainable way to meet the city's growing housing demand. Brownfield sites are a category of previously developed land not currently in use. Although these sites may have contamination or other issues that need to be addressed before they can be reused they are regularly identified as having potential to be used as development land.

See article on this topic.

The redevelopment of brownfield sites in London for small to medium sized housing schemes can be a cost-effective and sustainable way to meet the city's housing demand. Brownfield sites are a category of previously developed land not currently in use. Although these sites may have contamination or o...

14/11/2023

Permission in principle (PiP) is a relatively new type of Town Planning consenting regime introduced in the UK in 2017 as part of the Housing and Planning Act and Permission in Principle Order. It is intended to streamline the planning process by providing a quicker and simpler way for property developers to secure approval for smaller residential led development schemes.

See recent article on Permission in Principle here.

Permission in principle (PiP) is a relatively new type of Town Planning consenting regime introduced in the UK in 2017 as part of the Housing and Planning Act and Permission in Principle Order. It is intended to streamline the planning process by providing a quicker and simpler way for property deve...