In this edition we turn to cities. With Ben Rogers, Director of the Centre for London, we explore major issues arising from the pandemic: the immediate downturn; suppressed demand; the role of innovators and the young. We turn to planning reform, zoning, design codes and participation by communities. We look at planning levers beyond regulation - how tax, including local taxes could be a tool to promote or disincentivise different uses and developments.

Oliver Lawrence joins Richard Kimblin QC to talk through experience of virtual hearings, examinations and trials as we look at the upsides, the downsides and how you might want to influence the way in which your case is heard.

The Business and Planning Act 2020: how amendment to the Town and Country Planning 1990 Act may change the mix of appeal procedures; what might be the consequent changes in the rules?; what the real practical effects are likely to be: will they make appeals less able to get the heart of the issues, or will they make appeals more effective and more focussed?; Howard Leithead, planning and environmental barrister at No5 Barristers' Chambers, takes us through the changes, the impacts and the practical points arising.

The Planning Podcast turns to infrastructure. Richard Kimblin QC interviews Angus Walker, Chair of the Board of the National Infrastructure Planning Association: progress with the consenting of infrastructure projects during the emergency whether consenting procedures might actually be better after the emergency infrastructure and economic recovery. And ‘Drax’ - a case with a mix of Net Zero, a DCO and a late letter to the Secretary of State - Hugh Richards, planning and environmental barrister at No5 Chambers takes us through the facts, the issues and the practical points arising. And there is Hugh Richards' follow-up note here: (https://www.no5.com/media/publications/the-client-earthdrax-case/)

In this edition, Richard Kimblin QC meets Ian Kemp, a programme officer who is known to many of you, and Thea Osmund-Smith, planning and environmental barrister at No5. The Planning Podcast takes its first look at local plans and their examination. We take a look at the inside of an examination in public – some tips from the gatekeeper – the programme officer –virtual hearings, electronic documents and helicopters. And a reminder about two legal bear traps for local plans – duty to cooperate and strategic environmental assessment, with some lessons from the JSP for the West of England, from which there are some materials to consider on the No5 Chambers website (Opinions of Richard Kimblin QC and Thea Osmund-Smith).https://www.no5.com/media/2066/opinion-of-richard-kimblin-qc-as-made-public-in-submissions-in-respect-of-the-jsp-west-of-england.pdf and https://www.no5.com/media/2067/opinion-of-thea-osmund-smith-made-available-in-representations-in-respect-of-the-jsp-west-of-england.pdf

Tim Jones & Hashi Mohamed help us with current issues with neighbourhood plans.

Richard Kimblin QC is joined by Scott Stemp & Howard Leithead, planning and environmental barristers from No5 Chambers, about planning enforcement, the issues arising with the Covid-restrictions, and a great new book!

Richard Kimblin QC, Jack Smyth & Hashi Mohamed discuss remote hearings, what is a dwelling, and Madness - the band not the condition.

How local authorities are approaching thir ambitions for 'Net Zero'. What are the implications of the Covid crisis on the Climate crisis? Richard asks Nina Pindham to give an overview of the legislative duty to achieve 'Net Zero'. What progress are Birmingham making in their 'Route to Net Zero' and what can be learnt from Nottingham City Council?

Richard Kimblin QC and his guest Christian Hawley, planning and environmental barrister at No5 Chambers, discuss Covid-consequences as seen early in the first lockdown. The Planning Podcast looks at: recession, small builders, small housing sites, policy changes post the 2008 liquidity crisis and the 2010-12 series of dips in growth; affordable housing and levers to spur economic activity, shore up housing numbers and meet delivery tests. All of this was pre 'Build, Build, Build' and pre 'Planning for the Future' but it remains very much the context and backdrop for what we are experiencing now - Christian's crystal ball!