Planning

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has opened a consultation on the draft revised National Planning Policy Framework

The Welsh Government have launched a consultation on the 10^th Edition of their Planning Policy Wales. The new edition has been restructured to include policy themes around well-being goals as set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Mayor of London has launched a consultation on the new draft London Plan. The draft London Plan covers a wide range of areas including: planning, economy, and transport.

The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on whether to keep existing roadwork lane rental schemes and allow other authorities to adopt their own schemes

Please find ACS' briefing document for members below.

The Department for Communities and Local Government have launched a consultation on measures included within the Neighbourhood Planning Bill to address the inappropriate use of pre-commencement planning conditions, and to prohibit the use of other types of planning conditions which do not meet the tests in the National Planning Policy Framework. ACS' submission can be found below.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is seeking views on some specific changes to National Planning Policy in the following areas:

The Department for Communities and local Government has launched a consultation on reviewing and improving the planning system in rural areas.

ACS responded to the consultation, calling on the department to ensure that the planning system supports the growth and retention of rural convenience stores.

The Welsh Government is proposing changes to the development management system, seeking views on our proposal to require a planning application for additional internal floor space over 200 sq. meters in retail developments.

In the submission, ACS supports the Welsh Government's proposals in their consultation to bring the development of mezzanine floors in retail premises under the control of the planning system. The proposals bring Wales into line with planning permission for mezzanine floors in England.

The Welsh Government’s consultation seeks views on their proposed changes to the Local Development Plans (LDPs). Up-to-date LDPs provide certainty about what kind of development will and won’t be permitted in the plan period. Changes are being proposed based on the findings and outcomes of the LDP Process Refinement Exercise Report in 2013.

ACS’ submission proposes that an inclusive and efficient planning system is essential for the growth of convenience stores. We advocate a plan led approach to the planning process and not to repeat the mistakes that have been made in England.