The grinding gears of the planning system need to be kept moving. On that most people can agree. Applying a little bit of lubricant within the bits of the system that largely pass the public by, extending consents and flexibility on things like CIL payments, for example, are relatively simple and relatively uncontroversial. What about though those bits of the system that are exposed to the outside world? The bits that rub up against public expectations. How, for as long as social distancing lasts, and indeed beyond, can the public continue to be engaged with the planning system in a way that allows applications and local plans to not only progress, but to progress in ways that are sensible, fair, and perhaps most importantly, lawful.

Sam Stafford discusses these issues with Greg Dickson, Director at Barton Willmore; Sarah James, Policy & Membership Development Manager at Civic Voice; and Kevin Whitmore, Head of North & Midlands at BECG.

Twitter handles: @samuel_stafford; @GregDickson1; @jamesslf and @kevin_whitmore.

Some accompanying reading.

Temporary changes to the publicity requirements for certain planning applications:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/consultation-and-pre-decision-matters#covid19

Sarah's blog 'Going from the physical to the digital':

https://civicvoiceblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/going-from-the-physical-to-the-digital/

Kevin's blog 'Reflections from a virtual world':

https://becg.com/blog/reflections-from-a-virtual-world/

Publicity requirements for the London Plan (in the Business & Planning Bill):

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-current-spatial-development-strategies-available-digitally-draft-guidance

Publicity requirements for other local development documents (a Written Ministerial Statement by Lord Greenhalgh):

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2020-06-25/HLWS311/

Some accompanying listening.

Rules Of Engagement by King Creosote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcKPu6Yo8q4