Kamil Rog

The draft NPPF said that the presumption in favour of development would apply as long as schemes are sustainably located, well designed and provide appropriate amounts of affordable housing (I paraphrase). If this policy finds its way into the final NPPF it could be pretty significant. It could help pave the way to ensure quality as well as quantity, but of course it poses the question - how do you tell if a scheme meets design requirements so the presumption applies? Design guides, codes and policies can help set out what is required, but Design Review Panels can help ensure individual schemes are 'good enough to approve'. It feels like we have been talking for ever about Design Codes - but very little about Design Review At UDL we want to help rectify this. So, with encouragement from MHCLG, we are going to start looking at how to support high quality, useful Design Review across England The first thing we are doing is creating an on line directory of local authority panels so everyone can see who is doing what. If you are involved in a panel that supports a particularly authority or group of authorities please do get in touch and we can include details of that panel in the directory. We also wonder if a national good practice charter would be useful, so panel users can check the ones they are using represent best practice. Also maybe networking opportunities and training for panel managers, chairs and members? Guidance on how best to set up and use a panel? Maybe a forum for panel users to feedback? And what about research into the impact of panels? If you think any of these, or other ideas would be useful please do let me know. Please share this with anyone you know who is involved in panels. Chris Lamb Deborah Denner Pooja Agrawal Amy Burbidge Sarah Allan Robin Nicholson

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Last week I was invited by the Westminster City Council to a workshop to review their new #WLC reporting tool called PACER (Planning Application Carbon Evaluation and Reduction).    They have developed an online tool to report WLC information on projects. They are in the beta testing phase, have not yet been released to everyone, and are not required for planning approval yet. The beta test will finish in March next year, and they expect to be released to the public for all planning applications.    They have also 13 councils more aligned to use the tool after the beta test is finished, and they expect more to express interest. They are also talking to the Greater London Authority to see if they adopt this tool instead of the templates that they use now, but this is still under discussion.    The tool asks for general building information to model a control model. The assessor will also need to add carbon information about the project and materials list, all aligned with the RICS V02 WLC (to be enforced in July 2024); it is also similar to the information that the GLA is requesting.    It was a very interesting afternoon with a lot of engaging conversations about third-party verifications, which project stages are the correct ones to ask for this information; what information would be necessary to be collected to draft benchmarks in the future; avoiding doubling the amount of work for consultants and coordinating the amount WCL tools, platforms and local authorities; etc. It was also very nice to see so many people from the sustainability built environment gather in one room. I enjoy talking to Dewi Jones, Mirko Farnetani, Shikha Bhardwaj, Philip Guthrie, Noma Nkala, Ben Gholam, Alex Rich, Poppy Cunningham PIEMA, Elaine Toogood, Alex Benstead, Ian Poole among others. #RSHP RSHP #PlanningPolicy #EmbodiedCarbon #OperationalCarbon #LifecycleAssessment #NetZero

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9 #jobs from foundational to senior scientists to work on use of #climate projections and data into information to support various sectors adapting to #climatechange #climateservices

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Annual Position Statements, I hardly knew ye. Here is our Lichfields UK analysis on the propsed changes to the NPPF (https://lnkd.in/ezsxQCMs) and the Standard Method (https://lnkd.in/eP-rV83P). More to come: https://lnkd.in/e-Y7yeHN

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📢 Exciting news for neighbourhood planners! 📢 Locality has just released new guidance on Neighbourhood Planning Design Coding, and here at ET Planning we recognise that design codes have become a cornerstone in seeking to achieve top-tier design quality locally, and this latest Design Code document release supplements the National Model Design Code. This is tailored for neighbourhood plan groups preparing design codes, it's a comprehensive resource covering: 🏡 Understanding the fundamentals of design codes and their purpose. 📊 Making informed decisions about implementing design codes in your neighbourhood plan. 🔍 Setting specific design parameters for optimal development outcomes. 🔄 Navigating the stages of design code preparation and collaboration with stakeholders. With this guidance, you'll dive deep into: 📍 Determining the appropriateness of design codes for your area. 💼 Unveiling the crucial role design codes play in enhancing your neighbourhood plan priorities. 📝 Aligning design codes with other policies and guidance to streamline planning processes. 🤝 Establishing effective partnerships with the community, local planning authorities, developers, and more. #CommunityDevelopment #DesignCodes #NeighbourhoodPlans #StakeholderEngagement https://lnkd.in/daQr-ist

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Having now fully reviewed the proposed reforms to the NPPF, I thought I would follow up with my thoughts to yesterday’s publication. Many LinkedIn posts have already provided extremely useful overviews. Firstly, It goes without saying that housing numbers are the bedrock of what this new NPPF is all about. Overall, the document is positive for those of us who advocate and work in the development industry. Interestingly, as an SME specialist housebuilder, I am surprised that para 14 which gives protection to Neighbourhood Plans has not been reconsidered or relooked at. Neighbourhood Plans are a very useful way of delivering much needed housing, especially in more rural areas. However, as currently drafted I can see a tension and conflict when they are considered against the Framework and its aspirations. The number of units SMEs can deliver, especially in Neighbourhood Plan areas, might only provide a small contribution to housing delivery, but it is a crucial contribution. Indeed, this is backed up with the Government’s aims set out in para 71 Do you agree? I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

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Was just reading the latest 'Raynerism' too. Hmm another one of these issues that I'm torn with. On the one hand bypassing planning committees might speed up the process but on the other hand it will require a complete change of the planning system which by its very nature is a democratic one. Yes, LPAs need to pull their finger out & get their Plans (which included 5 year land supply) written, consulted on & adopted to prevent speculative development on unsustainable green belt sites but that takes time too. Is this how Govt will get 1.5m houses through the system? I'm not convinced - are you? But then I'm just a humble planner. And new NPPF next week? #planning #committees #housing

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The new NPPF consultation has just started and will run until 24th September. Key proposed changes:  - Restoring standard method as mandatory; - New standard method using housing stock rather than household projections; - Changing the trigger for the tilted balance under paragraph 11d; - Inserting a new definition of grey belt into the glossary ; - Removing the 4-year housing land supply test from the current NPPF; - Revising the affordable housing mix policy, with the removal of the minimum requirements to deliver affordable home ownership/First Homes while more focus on Social Rent Consultation link here: https://lnkd.in/eUvhh8tu

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The transport secretary is to review the “transport infrastructure portfolio”. Good. This is a chance to learn from the approach taken in Wales to road spending and provide a holistic framework for how transport investment decisions are made in the future. This review should be conducted with the support of an independent panel and ensure all investment is aligned with meeting the UK’s climate commitments and providing more people the opportunity to get on in life by tackling transport related social exclusion. Labour won a mandate to do what’s needed to fix public services. The government won’t get transport working better for more people without investment in greener transport - walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport. They must make sure every £ is going to the right place to deliver meaningful improvements in people’s ability to get around sustainably and safely. https://lnkd.in/eyK4vx_X #transport #publicpolicy #publictransport

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We’re proud to have supported the Comisiwn Seilwaith Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Infrastructure Commission for Wales in the scoping and delivery of the ‘Building #Resilience to #Flooding in #Wales by 2050’ report 🌍 Working collectively, alongside Nature - a vision the culmination of world-building workshops engaging diverse participants across Wales, exploring the opportunities and trade-offs of different futures. Led by Commissioners Dr Eurgain Powell and Eluned Parrott, it has been a particularly special project to support the scoping and visioning; getting under the skin of issues, drawing on the deep expertise of the broad Project Advisory Group and the many who supported our workshops - it's not often that current legislation and frameworks aren't constraints... What if became the norm. “Integrating nature and community as cross-cutting issues is crucial for creating sustainable and resilient solutions to flood risk management.” NICW’s strong, pragmatic, cross-cutting recommendations for Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government consideration include: >Governance, Structures and Policy - establish a new Water Commissioner; create a long-term national flood & coastal erosion resilience strategy; set up the mechanisms to incorporate nature as a key stakeholder within flooding policy and implementation; avoid development on flood risk area; set up regional/ local Catchment partnerships. >Collaboration, Partnerships and Community - establish a new Water Resilience Forum for Wales along with community resilience groups; streamline Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management plans into catchment resilience strategies; involve communities in decision-making processes related to flood resilience. >Funding and Capacity - a new cross-sector climate change adaptation and resilience fund; extend and align FCERM investment programme; explore and diversify funding sources; taskforce to explore scaling the uptake of nature-based solutions and adapting landscapes to a future climate; provide subsidies to private homeowners with the least means to build property flood resilience. >Awareness, Skills and Data - awareness of flooding and climate change impacts in schools via the curriculum; and with the public through a national education campaign; develop blue skills and a new discipline for Water Environments and establish apprenticeships; training and support for local councillors and community councils on flood resilience; open and transparent access to data allowing communities to understand flood risk better. Read the NICW report: https://lnkd.in/etpn7Dbj or browse vision extracts… Credit Rose, Malina, Lauren and all the Arup team for supporting the scoping and visioning workstreams; Prith Biant identified through an Arts Council of Wales call for creative support; JBA Consulting's Faye & Jenny and Miller Research (UK) Ltd's Emilio who delivered research on landuse, strategic responses and resources. #resilience #flooding #future #wearearup

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Members of Planning & Design Practice’s heritage team, including RIBA accredited Specialist Conservation Architect Lindsay Cruddas and Heritage Consultant Ruth Gray, attended the launch of a new app designed to help preserve Derbyshire’s most vulnerable buildings at risk. Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust hosted a session to provide training on the new app at the Strutts Community Centre in Belper recently. The Trust aim to empower a volunteer task force to help identify and monitor the condition of hundreds of vulnerable listed buildings in Derbyshire. The new B@R app has been developed by the Trust as part of their ‘Saving our Heritage for Everyone’ project that started in March 2024 with funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Fund to help the Trust to build organisational resilience. The app will be used to survey Grade II listed buildings and monuments which can then be recorded in order for the trust to have an idea of their condition. For more information, and details on how you can get involved:

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My blog on what the new standard method, as proposed in NPPF24, could mean for Local Plans and planning decisions (5 year housing land supply) in Yorkshire and The Humber. I include some number crunching for the former authorities that now make up North Yorkshire as these are not currently published by MHCLG - the proposed standard method will affect them in various ways until North Yorkshire adopts a new local plan. There’s a lot of interesting stuff in the NPPF24 out for consultation so get in touch if you want to chat. #planningreform #nppf24 #yorkshire #planning #housing

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I rather think that the bigger issue with the planning system - in addressing the housing crisis - is the slow (and sometimes absent) progression of development plans. Look forward to more on that soon. Granted the DC process can be very slow and unnecessarily politicised but Officer approach, and of course lack of resource, is commonly equally responsible for delays as the involvement of planning committees in decision making. This move will help but it’s certainly not a silver bullet on its own (appreciate that it’s not been badged as that). Just goes to highlight that the issues need to be tackled at multiple levels and stages.

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With only five days remaining for the Royal Town Planning Institute #RTPIelections, I am reiterating my central message for the Vice President role candidacy: Making the case for a #systems approach in how we plan and get planners to plan again. Let's pave the way for a future where planners can plan effectively once more. #urbanplanning #cityplanning #voteforchange

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On the day of the NPPF launch, our new research report is out, published by Wild Justice. We looked at how many of the ecological enhancements and mitigations promised as part of planning permissions were actually in place. We surveyed 42 new build estates across the country. The results were shocking - only 53% of the ecological enhancements (trees, bat boxes, wildflower areas, ponds) were actually in place. Housebuilders just aren't installing these features, and management companies just aren't maintaining public spaces according to the planning consent. Some of the estates we visited had more than 50% of their trees dead or dying. We need far greater resources for ecological enforcement in local authorities. It isn't about newts vs. people - people who live in new build housing need high quality, ecologically rich areas in which to live. If we are to build 1.5m homes and continue to rely on the same system, with housebuilders evading their responsibilities, this will be a huge loss for nature and people alike.

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❗ The Royal Town Planning Institute's response to DLUHC's Accelerated Planning Service consultation is now out. Decision making times clearly need to improve, but we question whether targeting one aspect of planning services - non-EIA major commercial developments - will bring about the systemic, sustained improvements to the system and its capacity that we want to see. Indeed, there are some major risks in doing so. Nice to see a step towards cost recovery for some planning application fees, though...

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🌆 Creating Places People Want to Live: The Ten Characteristics for Successful Placemaking 🌆 In urban planning, our goal isn’t just building structures – it’s about creating places that people genuinely want to call home. Recently, I revisited “Ten Characteristics of Places Where People Want to Live” by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which outlines essential elements for vibrant, sustainable communities. Here are some key takeaways: The Right Housing in the Right Place 🏡 – Homes should blend into their surroundings, with access to essential services, nature, and transportation. A Place to Start and Stay🔄 – Creating communities where people can move through life stages without leaving. Sense of Belonging🌍 – Through distinctive, rooted design that reflects local character and promotes pride in place. Connection with Nature*🌳 – Green spaces and sustainable landscapes are vital for both biodiversity and quality of life. Inclusive and Lasting Design🛠 – Beautiful, diverse housing options that support different lifestyles and age groups. Focus on Health and Sustainability🌱 – Homes designed for future generations with health and environment in mind, from energy efficiency to smart technology. From aligning with environmental goals to ensuring community inclusivity, these tenets remind us that thoughtful design can redefine urban spaces. Let’s build the future of our cities around the people who will live, work, and thrive in them. #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities #Placemaking #CommunityFirst

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New research on health and climate benefits of housing retrofits 🌍 Connected Places Catapult, Oldham Council, and Carbon Co-op have released the Retrofit for Health and Climate Resilience Service Delivery Model. This blueprint guides councils on implementing retrofit schemes that boost public health and climate resilience, while also enhancing skills and growth in the housing sector. By adopting this strategic, systems-based approach, councils can address community-level challenges, maximise economies of scale, and strengthen resilience across the UK. Read more: https://hubs.la/Q02XHM4d0

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