In this episode, The Planning Podcast looks to Wales for a lead. We find positive, modern and innovative approaches to the environment, building a cohesive society and planning for development at a strategic scale. The lead is extending and changing as so ably discussed by Dr Victoria Jenkins, associate professor of law at Swansea University, David Harries, Partner at Aaron and Partners and Sioned Davies, planning and environmental barrister at No 5 Chambers. Together, they bring Richard Kimblin QC up to speed with the policy and legal vision in Wales and how and why it differs from that in England. With both planning and environmental reform in England now on foot, it’s a great time to look to Wales and learn.

The Planning Podcast looks at the long, indeed the seemingly never-ending, examination and considers the scope for and potential impact of reform. With guests Jerry Youle, Inspector and Professional Lead for local plans at the Planning Inspectorate, Satnam Choongh, Planning and Environmental barrister at No5 Chambers, Tim Burden and David Murray-Cox, each planning Directors at Turley, Richard Kimblin QC explores the practical problems which can cause local plan examinations to take years, and what might be done to help.

The Ox-Cam Arc. In one of the Planning Podcast’s ‘long-listens’, we bring together guests with long experience and real insight into planning for one of England’s most complex and dynamic areas in which so much is playing out: linear infrastructure; local and London’s unmet housing need; connecting hubs of growth and innovation; spatial strategies across districts and regions; new governance structures and a particular role for Government in forward planning. 
We are grateful to all of Richard Kimblin QC’s guests: Satnam Choongh, Catriona Riddell, Dave Valler (Oxford Brookes) and Daniel Francis (Carter Jonas) for contributing to this episode which seeks out the primary rationale for the Ox-Cam Arc, how the spatial vision can be identified with a consensus might produce something like the RPG which some of us recall.

'Let’s meet!’ - what does that mean? 
In a rather more formal context, that is what the High Court had to decide last week with the widely reported outcome that local authority council meetings may not continue to take place virtually in England, absent primary legislation. 
That is the spoiler about the result of the case, but how and why did we get to that position and what are the practical work arounds? There is quite a lot in that, as Jack Smyth explains to Richard Kimblin QC.

Including update from 4th May ancillary judgement.

The Planning Podcast turns to look at the practical effect of town and village green registration through the case of TW Logistics. Where a long standing use and activity co-exists with recreational uses, will that activity mean that the landowner will commit an offence under the ‘Victorian Statutes’?  Richard Kimblin QC’s guests are Rowena Meager and Sioned Davies, both planning and environmental barristers at No5 Chambers, who explain the essential background, the practical legal effect and draw attention to the potential effects of registration.

As we approach the anniversary of remote working, Richard Kimblin QC and guests share practical tips and guidance for future virtual and hybrid hearings, inquiries, examinations and trials.  Richard is delighted to introduce Sioned Davies to The Planning Podcast, joined by regulars Oliver Lawrence and Howard Leithead, all planning and environmental barristers at No5 Chambers. What have we learnt over the past 12 months and how can we make a positive move forward?

Richard Kimblin QC hosts a short podcast with Satnam Choongh and Christian Hawley, planning and environmental barristers at No5 Chambers, to look at two cases from the Court of Appeal which address the tilted balance. When and how do you get to the presumption in favour of sustainable development, and what may lawfully be done with it when it is in play?

Planning Podcast 101 - adding Court of Appeal cases on paragraphs 11 and 90 of the Framework in the same short podcast! Looking at routes to the presumption in favour of sustainable development and what retail policy in paragraph 90 means. With Satnam Choongh, planning and environmental barrister at No5 Chambers, Richard Kimblin QC introduces the first of a pair of Planning Podcasts looking at practical points from two recent  Court of Appeal Cases. The second part of this podcast will follow next week - looking at two more Court of Appeal cases on the presumption.

Spotting key themes and evolving issues from 2020, the top tips team turns to small housing sites; the continued impact and evolution of the Rosewell Review (with a paper from Howard Leithead here); the recovery, a top tip from Leanne Buckley-Thomson (which also the subject of a note here) and an issue which will dominate for decades to come - climate. With sincere thanks for lending us your ears during the last, tricky, nine-months, stay safe and do enjoy a peaceful and relaxing Christmas.

 https://www.no5.com/media/publications/a-right-to-cross-examine-the-current-position/

https://www.no5.com/media/news/r-v-1-canterbury-city-council-2-redrow-homes-south-east-2020-ewca-civ-1588/

With the ever-up-to-date-team of Leanne Buckley Thomson, Howard Leithead and Oliver Lawence,  a package of what has made them sit up and take notice in the planning and environmental world in the last couple of weeks: highways impacts and the Framework, a curious consent in Snowdonia and an update on penalties for environmental offences.