Chris Boardman was appointed as National Active Travel Commissioner in June 2022 by the Transport Secretary. He was Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester and the first ever Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner. A former professional cyclist, Chris won a gold medal in the individual pursuit at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. He is currently the Chair of Sport England.

Latest News Updates on planning related matters.

Decision of the Supreme Court of CG Fry & Son Ltd v. Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government. This appeal is concerned with two issues of planning law in relation to environmental protection and large-scale development of land for residential dwellings. The environmental concern relates to the introduction of phosphates arising from the development into the water systems feeding the Somerset Levels and the effect that may have on the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar Site.

A High Court Judgment involving a Carbon Capture and Storage scheme under the Irish Sea. CCS is a process which involves capturing emissions before they reach the atmosphere and transporting them to depleted reservoirs or aquifers for permanent storage.

A Decision on behalf of the SoS for Energy Security and Net Zero for a Solar Farm near Ashford in Kent. The scheme will have an export capacity of up to 99.9MW, which is enough renewable energy to power approximately 42,000 homes. The project also consists of on-site battery storage and associated infrastructure, including a Grid connection via a single 132kV cable circuit from the Project Substation to Sellindge Substation.

An Appeal Decision on land to the sound of the A63 bypass near Brayton in Selby. The proposal is to form a consolidated depot for a haulage company, comprising a large warehouse to be used for storage and distribution, office, HGV car park and workshop along with a staff car park.

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Our Special Guest this week is Kathryn Ventham, Senior Director at Twenty5 Planning.

Kathryn is a Chartered Town Planner with 25 years experience specialising in strategic land promotion and mixed use/residential led development. She is a leading advisor in respect of matters relating to flood risk sequential testing - working with Counsel and government bodies in this regard.

Latest News Update since we were last on the air.

A Court of Appeal Decision related to the Bell Hotel in Epping. The appeal was brought by Somani Hotels Limited against Epping Forest District Council. At the previous hearing on 15 August 2025 before the judge, the Council sought an interim injunction requiring Somani to stop using or permitting the use of the Hotel for accommodating asylum seekers or for using the Hotel for any use other than as a hotel until the trial of the claim.

A Decision of the SoS regarding an expansion of Sky Studios in Elstree including a film and television production studio (use Class E(g)(ii)) with ancillary floorspace, backlot, 7 new access arrangements, car parking, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works. The appeal was made by Sky Studios Ltd and Legal and General Investment Managment against a prior refusal by Hertsmere Borough Council.

A Decision of the SoS involving planning permission for demolition and preparation works on the site of Brighton Gasworks brought by St William Homes LLP. Works outlined included: a comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment comprising site preparation and enabling works, demolition of existing buildings and structures; provision of new buildings comprising residential use (Use Class C3) and flexible non-residential floorspace (Use Class E), new private and communal amenity space.

A Decision of the SoS refusing planning permission for 148 dwellings in Reading, Berkshire. The appeal was made by Wates Developments Ltd against a previous refusal by Wokingham Borough Council. This was a second inquiry after a previous grant of permission was quashed by the High Court. Issues raised in the appeal include: the effect of the development upon the character and appearance of the countryside; the effect upon surface drainage; the safety and wellbeing of future residents of the proposed development, and the wider public, with regard to the proximity of the Atomic Weapons Establishment site at Burghfield (AWE(B)); and the future capability and capacity of AWE(B) to operate effectively.

Episode resources can be found on our website below:

⁠hwgpnfy.com

Our Special Guest this week is Kathryn Ventham, Senior Director at Twenty5 Planning.

Kathryn is a Chartered Town Planner with 25 years experience specialising in strategic land promotion and mixed use/residential led development. She is a leading advisor in respect of matters relating to flood risk sequential testing - working with Counsel and government bodies in this regard.

Latest News Update since we were last on the air.

A Court of Appeal Decision related to the Bell Hotel in Epping. The appeal was brought by Somani Hotels Limited against Epping Forest District Council. At the previous hearing on 15 August 2025 before the judge, the Council sought an interim injunction requiring Somani to stop using or permitting the use of the Hotel for accommodating asylum seekers or for using the Hotel for any use other than as a hotel until the trial of the claim.

A Decision of the SoS regarding an expansion of Sky Studios in Elstree including a film and television production studio (use Class E(g)(ii)) with ancillary floorspace, backlot, 7 new access arrangements, car parking, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works. The appeal was made by Sky Studios Ltd and Legal and General Investment Managment against a prior refusal by Hertsmere Borough Council.

A Decision of the SoS involving planning permission for demolition and preparation works on the site of Brighton Gasworks brought by St William Homes LLP. Works outlined included: a comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment comprising site preparation and enabling works, demolition of existing buildings and structures; provision of new buildings comprising residential use (Use Class C3) and flexible non-residential floorspace (Use Class E), new private and communal amenity space.

A Decision of the SoS refusing planning permission for 148 dwellings in Reading, Berkshire. The appeal was made by Wates Developments Ltd against a previous refusal by Wokingham Borough Council. This was a second inquiry after a previous grant of permission was quashed by the High Court. Issues raised in the appeal include: the effect of the development upon the character and appearance of the countryside; the effect upon surface drainage; the safety and wellbeing of future residents of the proposed development, and the wider public, with regard to the proximity of the Atomic Weapons Establishment site at Burghfield (AWE(B)); and the future capability and capacity of AWE(B) to operate effectively.

Episode resources can be found on our website below:

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Our Special Guest this week is Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning & Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council.

Shanika is the first Asian woman and youngest ever councillor to join the Cabinet in Milton Keynes (initially as a Cabinet Member for the Economy). She previously worked in Sir Kier Starmer's politics team, improving campaigning and focussing on increasing diversity in our elected representatives.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

An Appeal Decision at Horsham Golf Club in West Sussex for the development of a Sports and Leisure Hub including the provision of communal facilities, nursery, golf college, sports clubhouse (containing health & fitness spa, changing facilities and food & beverage) and up to 800 dwellings. The appeal was made by Generator Group against the previous decision of Horsham District Council.

A Decision of the Minister of State for Housing and Planning for a Data Centre in Iver, Buckinghamshire. This appeal was made by Greystoke Land and Altrad UK Ltd against a prior refusal by Buckinghamshire Council. The Data Centre buildings include offices, internal plant and equipment and emergency back-up generators and fuel storage. The development will also include cycle and car parking, internal roads, landscaping, security perimeter fence, ancillary infrastructure and a substation.

An Appeal Decision involving the proposed demolition and future development at The Point, an entertainment complex in Central Milton Keynes. The proposed redevelopment includes flexible Class E leisure/retail uses (upper and lower ground level), up to 487 apartments over the upper floors (up to 21 storeys with a floor to floor height of 3m plus a crown structure), re-cladding of the existing car park with leisure uses (bar, outdoor sports and cinema) at rooftop level.

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Our Special Guest this week is Lord Marvin Rees OBE. Marvin is a Labour Party politician who served as the Mayor of Bristol from 2016 to 2024 and became a life peer in February 2025. He has a background in public health, journalism, and social justice advocacy.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

An Appeal Decision on Land West of Chapel Road in Smallfield, Surrey that was made by B Yond Homes Ltd against the previous decision of Tandridge District Council. The proposed development was for up to 270 dwellings; private parking; landscaping and public open space; SuDS; and flood alleviation measures.

An Appeal Decision on Land at Ham Road in Faversham, Kent and was made by Gladman Developments Limited against the prior decision of Swale Borough Council. The development proposed is the erection of up to 250 dwellings, including affordable housing, public open space, landscaping, sustainable urban drainage system and vehicular access point.

A Decision of the SoS for Energy Security and Net Zero for the Oaklands Farm Solar Park Project in Rosliston, South Derbyshire. The proposed 191-hectare development would have a generating capacity of over 50 megawatts, an export capacity of 162.3MW (alternating current) and an import capacity of 37.5MW (alternating current) to the National Grid.

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Our Special Guest this week is Florence Eshalomi, Labour (Co-op) MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green and is the current Chair of the MHCLG Select Committee. The Committee scrutinises the policy, administration and spending of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It is made up of MPs from across the House of Commons.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

An Appeal Decision for land at Old Park Lane in Farnham by Gleeson Land Limited against the decision of Waverley Borough Council. The proposal is for 83 dwellings (including 24 affordable) and public open space/country park including related play space, community orchard, wildlife pond, internal access roads, footways/footpaths and drainage basins/corridor.

An Appeal Decision at New Hall Farm, Overton in Wakefield by Boom Developments Limited against the decision of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. The development proposed is the installation of a renewable energy generating station comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays together with substation, transformer stations, site accesses, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure and landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.

A High Court Decision between Bellway Homes Limited and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding refusal of planning permission by Durham County Council in relation to land to the north of George Pit Lane, Great Lumley, County Durham. The proposed development included the erection of 148 dwellings with associated access, infrastructure and landscaping.

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Our Special Guest this week is Elsie Owusu OBE RA, Architect and Principal at Elsie Owusu Architects. Elsie is a founding member and the first chair of the Society of Black Architects. Her projects include the U.K. Supreme Court and Green Park tube station.  She has been an elected RIBA Council member since 2014, a vice-chair of the London School of Architecture, and a Royal Academician. She was recently part of the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission.

Latest News Update on planning related matters.

• A Decision of the High Court between Ross and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Renewable Energy Systems Ltd on an appeal against the Local Planning Authority’s refusal of planning permission for the proposed Longhedge Solar Farm. The solar farm was approximately 223 acres with a build area of 157 acres on a site to the north-east of the village of Hawksworth in Nottinghamshire.

• An Appeal Decision involving Berkeley Strategic Land Limited against the previous decision of Wokingham Borough Council for a proposed development of 350 dwellings and a care home with access on land adjacent to Blagrove Lane in Wokingham. The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) against a refusal to grant outline planning permission.

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Our Special Guest this week is Lord Ben Gascoigne, Chair of the Built Environment Committee in the House of Lord. The Built Environment Committee was appointed to consider matters relating to the built environment, including policies relating to housing, planning, transport and infrastructure.

Latest News Updates

• An Appeal Decision relating to a hybrid planning application for the construction of new junction works with Newmarket Road and construction of associated adjacent drainage basin; and outline planning application for the construction of a relief road and up to 485 dwellings including provision of pedestrian and cycle connections, open space, landscaping and associated infrastructure. The site is on land off Newmarket Road in Bury St Edmunds and the appeal was made by Pigeon against the previous decision of West Suffolk Council.

• A Decision of the High Court between West Dulwich Service Station Limited and the London Borough of Lambeth regarding traffic management orders which establish, on an experimental basis, a low traffic neighbourhood in Dulwich which were previously approved on the 6th of August 2024. One of the orders restricts the ability for vehicular traffic to enter an area, the other restricts the ability to park within the area. The combined effect of the Orders is to prevent vehicular traffic from entering, passing through or waiting within the part of Dulwich bounded by Croxted Road to the east and Norwood Road to the west.

• Two Appeal Decisions involving the redevelopment of the Former Stag Brewery in Mortlake, London. The appeals were made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a failure to give notice within the prescribed period of a decision on an application for outline planning permission with some matters reserved and full planning permission. The appeal was made by Reselton Properties Limited against the decision of the Council of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

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Our Special Guest this week, returning for a fourth time, is Joanna Averley, Chief Planner at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. We ask Joanna about the current and pending reforms to planning law and policy.

An Appeal Decision involving Churchill Retirement Living against Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council regarding planning permission for redevelopment to form a multigenerational community comprising 177 open market, affordable and retirement living apartments, 237 square metres of Class E commercial space, communal facilities, access, car parking, landscaping and all associated works at the former Southern Gas Network Site, Christchurch. The appeal was made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) against a failure to give notice within the prescribed period of a decision on an application for planning permission.

A Decision of the Secretary of State for Transport on the proposed expansion of Luton Airport. The application would grant development consent for the expansion of London Luton Airport to enable an increase in overall passenger capacity to 32 million passengers per year. The application also includes the construction of a new passenger terminal, additional aircraft stands and associated redevelopment of existing facilities and infrastructure.

An Appeal Decision involving Galliford Try Investments (GTI) against the decision of Milton Keynes Council with the view to demolish a vacant 2-storey building (Class E) and the erection of a 33-storey building comprising commercial floor space (Class E) on the ground floor and mezzanine level with residential units on upper floors comprising up to 302 dwellings and associated works, at Jaipur and Orchard Lounge, 599 Grafton Gate, Milton Keynes. The appeal was made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning (T&CP) Act 1990 (as amended) against a refusal to grant planning permission.

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Our Special Guest this week is Jason Prior, Chief Executive of Prior + Partners, whose projects include the 2012 London Olympics, Rio 2016, Google's California Campus and a new city in Saudi Arabia.

A Decision of the High Court involving the National Farmers Union, Herefordshire Council, The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and River Action UK relating to challenging the lawfulness of policy W3 of the Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (“MWLP”). Policy W3 refers to Agricultural waste management, including for livestock units.

A Decision of the Court of Appeal relating to the objection of a proposed construction of a 15-meter-high mobile phone mast by Cignal Infrastructure Limited on behalf of the mobile network operator Three, on a site located within Cheltenham’s Central Conservation area.

An Appeal Decision regarding a proposed development of up to 190 homes by Persimmon Homes Severn Valley on Land at Rectory Farm North, Chescombe Road, Yatton. The 190 homes are comprised of flats, semi-detatched, detatched and terraced housing with 50% of them being affordable.

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