In 2021, the eight former councils in Northamptonshire were abolished and replaced by two new unitary authorities: West Northamptonshire Council – covering Daventry, Northampton, and South Northamptonshire. North Northamptonshire Council – covering Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, and East Northamptonshire. Current Local Plans in Northamptonshire include: North Northamptonshire The current Local Plan for North Northamptonshire includes the Joint Core Strategy and supporting area-based plans. The Joint Core Strategy adopted in July 2016 provides the strategic planning policies for the future development of the area from 2016 to 2031. This sets strategic policies set out in the Part 2 Local Plans for Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, and Wellingborough: Corby – adopted September 2021. East Northamptonshire – adopted December 2023. Kettering – adopted December 2021. Wellingborough – adopted February 2019.  The Council is progressing work on its new Local Plan in response to Government reforms designed to deliver simpler, faster and more accessible planning documents. Following independent advice, the Council [...]

As a New Year dawns, so too does a renewed focus on planning reform. The Government’s drive for faster housing delivery and critical infrastructure upgrades shows no sign of slowing. In this Q4 update, we look back at the final months of 2025—tracking local plan progress, spotlighting major National Infrastructure projects shaping the future, and reviewing appeal decisions that could influence what lies ahead. National Planning The Planning and Infrastructure Act became law on 18 December 2025, setting the framework for major planning reforms. Key provisions include powers for councils to acquire land, mandatory training for planning committee members, and future measures to support nature recovery through Environmental Delivery Plans, a Nature Restoration Fund, and a Nature Restoration Levy. However, these nature-related measures, along with the ability for local authorities to set their own planning fees, will only come into effect once detailed regulations are made. In the short [...]

Central Bedfordshire are progressing a Full Local Plan Review in accordance with the Local Development Scheme (LDS)  updated in January 2025.  The LDS sets out the high-level timeframe for the development of an updated Local Plan. Community Engagement Over the past months, Central Bedfordshire Council has been working closely with residents, town and parish councils, ward councillors, and other key stakeholders to help shape the new Local Plan. The feedback received is now being used to inform the next stage of plan-making. The first formal consultation stage—known as Regulation 18 (‘Issues and Options’)—is scheduled to take place in early 2026.  It is currently programmed to be considered by the Executive Committee on 7 April 2026. To share the outcomes of this engagement, a series of summary reports have been prepared, highlighting the main themes and issues raised. These reports are available to download from the Central Bedfordshire website. Call [...]

Hertfordshire County Council are responsible for planning for waste, minerals (mostly sand and gravel quarries) and for services they provide like schools, libraries and roads. However they are working on a joint strategic plan for South West Hertfordshire together with: Dacorum Borough Council St Albans City and District Council Three Rivers District Council Watford Borough Council Hertsmere Borough Council The Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) will provide a long-term blueprint for the area to 2050. It will be able to consider and address issues that cross council boundaries and set out a strategic vision for the area. It will also help guide future plans and strategies by setting out high level policies on topics such as climate change, infrastructure, environmental protection, employment and housing. An interactive map and dashboard, has been published to help understand the area and its social, economic and environmental characteristics.  All the authorities have now endorsed the [...]

Suffolk County Council are responsible for planning for minerals, waste, and county council developments such as schools and fire stations. Current Local Plans in Suffolk include: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Part 1 of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan was adopted by Mid Suffolk District Council and Babergh District Council in November 2023. A live online Policies Map supports the Joint Local Plan Part 1 and can be accessed here. Following the new National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024, the Councils are now proceeding with a full Joint Local Plan review and not a Part 2 Plan. The Plan Review stages are: Scoping and participation: March 2026 to July 2026 Visioning and strategy development including first public consultation: August 2026 to March 2027 Evidence gathering and drafting: April 2027 to December 2027 Second public consultation and submission: January 2028 to June 2028 Examination and [...]

Local government is currently divided between Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, which is a separate unitary authority. Under the county council, there are five district councils, Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and Fenland District Council. The current Strategic Planning position in Cambridgeshire is as follows: Peterborough City Council The Peterborough Local Plan was adopted on 24 July 2019. This is a statutory Local Plan which sets out the overall approach to development in Peterborough to 2036 and beyond. The Council consulted on its Draft Local Plan from April to May 2025, and a Key Issues Report has now been published, summarising feedback and identifying seven new suggested development sites, including housing, a village hall, and a country park. The Council is currently reviewing all comments and assessing new site submissions. The Proposed Submission version of the Local Plan [...]