The English Devolution Bill is intended to establish devolution as the default model across England, empowering mayors and combined authorities with expanded fiscal, planning, and policy-making powers. The legislation’s key reforms are outlined in the December 2024 Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth white paper. They include a statutory devolution framework, enhanced mayoral authority, multi-year funding settlements, and the replacement of two-tier local government structures. The bill forms part of the government’s broader “devolution revolution” to address regional inequalities, decentralise decision-making and streamline local government activity.  Given there is so much potential change to prepare for in the planning sector

The Remediation Acceleration Plan was announced today. It sets out several key deadlines to ensure the safety of buildings with unsafe cladding in England: – By 31 March 2025: All firms must start remediation work on high-rise buildings (18m+). If they fail to do so, the government may take direct action. – By July 2026: Developers are encouraged to start or complete remedial works on 80% of the buildings for which they are responsible. – By July 2027: Developers should have started or completed remedial works on 100% of the buildings for which they are responsible. – By the end of

All organisations which seek to market services or products or have a mission to fulfil, know that communicating their values, vision and brand positioning are at the centre of a successful external relations strategy. With a general election coming up, the same organisations must understand that 4 July is not simply an opportunity for private individuals to exercise their vote. For organisations with a desire to be seen in their sectors, the election presents a golden opportunity to demonstrate positive civic involvement. There are risks in engaging publicly with politics, of course. But, as Jeanette Winterson wrote, “What you risk

Welcome to this week’s building safety bulletin, where we look at the latest developments affecting developers, leaseholders, contractors, housing providers and anyone else interested in the UK’s building safety crisis.  1. Building safety regulator registrations  The Health and Safety Executive (HAS) has said around 750 registration applications have been sent to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) since the process for high-rise buildings opened in April. The HSE has said there are around 12,500 high-rise residential buildings that must be registered with the new regulator by the end of September, so there’s still some way to go. New buildings completed after 1 October

Welcome to this week’s building safety bulletin. This page outlines some of the significant news and changes affecting developers, leaseholders, contractors, housing providers, and anyone else interested in the UK’s building safety crisis. 1. Leasehold abolition to be dropped    The Guardian has reported that the government is abandoning its plans to abolish the leasehold system. Michael Gove has described leasehold as an ‘outdated feudal system’ and, in an interview with The Sunday Times in January, said it should go. Matthew Pennycook, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, responded to these reports by saying they represent the ‘latest broken promise in 13 years of failure’

Welcome to this week’s building safety bulletin. This page outlines some of the significant news and changes affecting developers, leaseholders, contractors, housing providers, and anyone else interested in the UK’s building safety crisis. 1. Another developer signs remediation contract   This week, Viva Midco Limited, the parent company of Avant Homes, joined 46 other firms in signing the government’s developer self-remediation contract. Avant’s signature comes seven weeks after the government’s deadline. There are three developers – Abbey Developments, Dandara and Rydon Homes – that are yet to agree to the terms of the remediation contract. Dandara is reportedly currently holding ‘positive’