Planning

There are several key infrastructure projects progressing across Bedfordshire, all of which will support growth opportunities across the County.

Positive steps have occurred in both Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire.

Cambridge continues to remain firmly in the headlights of Michael Gove.

There are good opportunities available across Essex, with new Local Plans at the early stages of review across the north and centre of the county and immediate opportunities available in some areas elsewhere.

The ‘incentives’ for plan-making within the updated NPPF appear to be working, particularly in south-west Hertfordshire with activity ramping up, albeit under the shadow of a greater protection to the Green Belt and reduced housing numbers being proposed.

Despite the Mayor being directed by the Secretary of State to take further action on London’s housing plan, City Hall has recently announced an additional Housing Kickstart Fund and has committed significant sums to building 76,000 new homes on brownfield sites.

West Northamptonshire have taken a big step forward in the preparation of their strategic plan; the draft Plan for Regulation 18 consultation has been published.

A varied plan-making picture across Norfolk as the Greater Norwich Local Plan is finally adopted.

We are seeing significant activity across Oxfordshire with all five local authorities having recently published or due to shortly publish draft Local Plans for consultation.

A mixed picture across Suffolk, in terms of plan-making progress.