This week our special guest is Tim Goodwin BSc (Hons) MSc MIEnvSc  MCIEEM, Director of Ecology Solutions Ltd.

Cases of the Week

Garland v Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs [20202] EWHC 1814 (Admin) a claim challenging an order modifying the Definitive Map to change the status of a highway from footpath to bridleway.

PINS/MHCLG Decisions of the Week

Two Secretary of State decisions allowing appeals, both taken in the context of 5 yr HLS being demonstrated (1) For up to 600 dwellings & a local centre in Norfolk raising cumulative heritage impacts & Hab Regs issues  (2) A determination finally allowing Muller Property Group’s appeals at Nantwich  for a residentially led mixed use scheme including 189 dwellings plus a new access road.

Our Special Topic of the Week

After the Environment Secretary’s speech this week. Does Brexit provide the opportunity to rid planning of an unduly complex system of European ecological control?