A new direction for planning?

Published: 27/08/2024 By Andrew Tregay

From day one, the new Labour government has been clear that planning is integral to the country's future prosperity. Their manifesto promised ‘reform’ and strengthened policy supporting sustainable development. Within days of taking power, the government began consultations that attempted to do just that. Many proposals are reversing amendments the previous government made over the past 12 months or providing simple clarification.  At this stage, it is debatable whether the proposed changes strengthen the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development; however, there is at least some welcome clarification.

One of the most significant changes proposed is the potential increase in housing targets for local authorities. This could substantially increase the number of homes they must deliver, aligning with the government's ambitious objective of delivering 1.5 million homes. This targeted increase creates opportunities for landowners to promote their land in a more permissive policy environment. It also means that local authorities must consider development proposals in the context of the government's clear, permissive stance on new homes.
 
Given the emotive nature of planning, it is expected that there will be resistance to the proposed increases, especially in areas that were already struggling to deliver enough homes. This resistance will serve as an early test of the government's political strength to ensure that the political will is translated into decisions on the ground, highlighting the challenges the government may face in implementing the new policy. To demonstrate their seriousness, the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all local authority Leaders in England within days of taking power, outlining the proposed changes and reiterating the expectations for local authorities to contribute to delivering sufficient homes, reassuring the government's commitment to the proposed changes.

Andrew suggests that whilst it is too early to see if these changes will transform planning, a new government has a fresh intent. “The government manifesto gives hope that the system can be more positive and create the homes that are desperately needed. No doubt, there will be a time of flux whilst Local Authorities digest and interpret these changes and adjust to the new regime. However, for the moment, a more permissive policy environment prevails, giving landowners a fresh opportunity to explore their land's development potential and instilling a sense of hope for a positive transformation in planning”.

If you would like to explore the potential for development on your land, please get in touch with Andrew in our Sturminster Newton office on 01258 472244 or our planning experts (below) in your nearest office. If you are going to Dorset County Show next weekend (7&8 September), please do call into our stand to meet our property experts.

Planning and Diversification

Meet the Planning & Diversification Team


Andrew Tregay


Head of Planning
Sturminster Newton

MPlan MRTPI 


Department: Rural and Agricultural, Sturminster Newton Rural and Agricultural, Professional, New Homes
Speciality: Development Land, Diversification, Farms and Land, Planner


01258 472244
07508 750598
atregay@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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Edward Dyke


Partner
Sturminster Newton

FRICS FAAV



Department: Rural and Agricultural, Professional, Sturminster Newton Rural and Agricultural

Speciality: Agricultural Tenancies, Agricultural Appraisals, AMC Boundary Disputes, Compensation, Compulsory Purchase, Contract Farming, Development Land, Diversification, Easements, Expert Witness, Farm Business Tenancies, Farms and Land, Grass Keep, Option Agreements, Options, Planner, Preparation of Plans for Land Registry, Probate, Promotions, RICS Registered Valuer, RICS Valuer, Tax Planning, Valuations, Valuations for Banks, Wayleaves
01258 474261
07787 128286
edyke@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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A-J Monro (Andrew)


Partner, Head of Professional Services
Wimborne

BSC(Hons) MRICS FAAV APAEWE

Department: Rural and Agricultural, Professional, Wimborne Rural and Agricultural

Speciality: Agricultural Tenancies, AMC, Boundary Disputes, BPS, Compensation, Contract Farming, Development Land, Diversification, Easements, Energy, Expert Witness, Farm Business Tenancies, Farm Finance, Farms and Land, Grass Keep, Option Agreements, Options, Planner, Preparation of Plans for Land Registry, Probate, RICS Registered Valuer, RICS Valuer, Rural Grants and Subsidies, Tax Planning, Telecoms, Valuations, Valuations for Banks, Wayleaves



01202 882103
07867 555838
amonro@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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Lucy Carnell


Rural Partner
Yeovil

BSc (Hons) MRICS 


Department: Yeovil Rural and Agricultural, Rural and Agricultural, Professional
Service: BPS, Compensation, Compulsory Purchase, Easements, Farms and Land, Grass Keep, Preparations of Plans for Land Registry, Probate, RICS Registered Valuer, RICS Valuer, Rural Grants and Subsidies, Valuations, Wayleaves


01935 382901
07940256550
lcarnell@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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George Whittaker


Senior Surveyor
Dorchester, Poundbury Burraton House

AssocRICS FAAV MBIAC CEnv

Department: Rural and Agricultural, Dorchester Rural and Agricultural, Burraton Rural and Agricultural, Professional
Speciality: Agricultural Tenancies, Agricultural Appraisals, Agriculture, Biodiversity Net Gain, BPS, Contract Farming, Diversification, Estate Management, Farm Business Tenancies, Farms and Land, Grass Keep, Planner, RICS Registered Valuer, RICS Valuer, Rural Grants and Subsidies, Telecoms, Valuations


01305 236578
gwhittaker@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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Annabel Douglas


Rural Surveyor
Bridport

MSc MRICS FAAV


Department: Rural and Agricultural, Bridport Rural and Agricultural, Professional
Speciality: Agricultural Tenancies, Agricultural Appraisals, BPS, Compensation, Diversification, Estate Management, Farm Business Tenancies, Grass Keep, Planner, Preparation of Plans for Land Registry, Probate, RICS Registered Valuer, RICS Valuer, Rural Grants and Subsidies, Tax Planning, Valuations, Valuations for Banks



01308 459564 adouglas@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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Eloise Owen


Senior Rural Surveyor
Salisbury

BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS FAAV
 
Department: Rural and Agricultural, Salisbury Rural and Agricultural, Professional
Service: Agricultural Tenancies, Farm Business Tenancies, Farms and Land, Planner, Preparation of Plans for Land Registry, Probate, Rural Grants and Subsidies, Valuations, Expert Witness


01722 334323
eowen@symondsandsampson.co.uk 

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Sarah Vere


Head of Tiverton Professional
Tiverton

BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV
 

Department: Rural and Agricultural, Tiverton Rural and Agricultural, Professional, Tiverton Agricultural Auctions, Agricultural Auctions 
Speciality: Agricultural Tenancies, Agricultural Appraisals, Agriculture, BPS, Compensation, Compulsory Purchase, Contract Farming, Diversification, Farm Business Tenancies, Farms and Land, Grass Keep, Preparation of Plans for Land Registry, Rural Grants and Subsidies,



01884 218911
svere@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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Meet the Commercial Planning Team


Ryan Holmes


Partner, Head of Commercial
Dorchester, Poundbury Burraton House

DipSurvPract AssocRICS MARLA

Department: Commercial, Dorchester Commercial, Burraton Commercial
Speciality: Commercial Property Management, MANCO, RICS Registered Valuer, RICS Valuer, Commercial Rent Reviews, Valuations, Commercial Sales, Commercial Lettings, Lease Renewals, Rent Reviews, Estate Management, Leisure, Commercial Agency, Block Management, Managing Agent



01305 261008
rholmes@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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George Rogers


Commercial & Valuation Surveyor
Yeovil

BSc MRICS

Service: Professional, Commercial, Yeovil Commercial
Speciality: RICS Registered Valuer, RICS Valuer, Commercial Rent Reviews, Valuations, Commercial Sales, Commercial Lettings, Lease Renewals, Rent Reviews, Commercial Development, Commercial Agency, Commercial Land


01935 382902
07375284964
grogers@symondsandsampson.co.uk
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