https://s1-uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/WLN-PLCUK-SC_2603.1.2004/productViews/plcuk/Legal updateshttps://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.comPlanninghttps://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I5f92040e2e6a11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I5f92040e2e6a11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 1 April 2026, the Welsh Government published guidance on the protection of playing fields and other sports facilities.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I5f92040e2e6a11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iceb885ab2e3811f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iceb885ab2e3811f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a collection of toolkits that provide guidance and resources for communities to create their own neighbourhood plans. The toolkits cover various aspects of the planning process.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iceb885ab2e3811f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I1b3517c92d4211f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I1b3517c92d4211f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTA round-up of the week's Brexit-related developments for the Practical Law Brexit current awareness alert to 2 April 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I1b3517c92d4211f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iec8cce522cfb11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iec8cce522cfb11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 31 March 2026, the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2026 was published.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iec8cce522cfb11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iec8c7f372cfb11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iec8c7f372cfb11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTPractical Law provides free training on how to use Practical Law more effectively. This is available in a variety of formats, including live webinars and training videos.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iec8c7f372cfb11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0b0944db29d311f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0b0944db29d311f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn Titchfield Festival Theatre Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2026] EWCA Civ 368, the Court of Appeal held that section 57(4) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990) creates an exception to the requirement to obtain planning permission for development if an enforcement notice is issued.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0b0944db29d311f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ibf77475b2c3511f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ibf77475b2c3511f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTWe have published an article highlighting what's on the agenda for in-house lawyers in April 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ibf77475b2c3511f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic24c339229d211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic24c339229d211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 26 March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the consultation Planning committee reform: draft regulations and guidance. The consultation relates to England only and closes on 23 April 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic24c339229d211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I732e881e2c1511f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I732e881e2c1511f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Chief Planner has published a second planning update newsletter in March 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I732e881e2c1511f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0b091e6d29d311f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0b091e6d29d311f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe government is consulting on proposals to reform the categorisation of building work to existing higher-risk buildings (HRBs) under the HRB control regime, overseen by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), to improve the proportionality of the building control process.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0b091e6d29d311f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id101ffab289611f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id101ffab289611f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTA round-up of the week's Brexit-related developments for the Practical Law Brexit current awareness alert to 27 March 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id101ffab289611f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I74a1065e288f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I74a1065e288f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 23 March 2026, the government published guidance on creating a plan timetable. The guidance explains that local planning authorities in England must prepare, publish and maintain an up-to-date timetable for plan-making.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I74a1065e288f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iad964c4d286211f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iad964c4d286211f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 25 March 2026, the government and the Mayor of London (MoL) published a policy paper, Support for housebuilding in London: package of support. This sets out final emergency measures to boost housebuilding in London, especially where schemes have stalled because of poor viability.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iad964c4d286211f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id9338ee1288d11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id9338ee1288d11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 24 March 2026, the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Order 2026 (SI 2026/345) was made. The Order makes two main changes to the Mayor of London's call-in powers and comes into force on 11 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id9338ee1288d11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I219d41a4284611f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I219d41a4284611f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn this Planning Inspectorate (PINS) decision, the inspector considered whether an agricultural occupancy condition still applied to a dwellinghouse that was not built completely in accordance with its approved plans.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I219d41a4284611f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ide25b9fb283411f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ide25b9fb283411f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe government has published a written ministerial statement announcing a series of measures aimed at stimulating housing supply and improving infrastructure delivery.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ide25b9fb283411f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I88099de5282f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I88099de5282f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Building Regulations etc (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/335) were made on 23 March 2026 and commence on 24 March 2026 to implement the Future Homes Standard and the Future Buildings Standard.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I88099de5282f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I94001271277711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I94001271277711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the government response to its 2023 consultation on a Future Homes Standard and a Future Buildings Standard, laid implementing regulations in Parliament that amend the Building Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/2214) and published updated Approved Documents that provide related statutory guidance, on 24 March 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I94001271277711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd0277423e111f182b7cb1210d47fc6/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd0277423e111f182b7cb1210d47fc6/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 17 March 2026, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2026 (SI 2026/313) (2026 Amendment Order) was made. The 2026 Amendment Order introduces a new Class CA and amends Class M in Part 7 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (SI 2015/596) (GPDO 2015).https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd0277423e111f182b7cb1210d47fc6/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3602527c26f511f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3602527c26f511f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 23 March 2026, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No 11 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/333) were made. These regulations amend the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No 11 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/169).https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3602527c26f511f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3874eadb26d211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3874eadb26d211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn this appeal decision, the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) considered whether a building was used for agriculture for the purposes of a trade or business, and therefore met the criteria for a material change of use to a dwellinghouse under permitted development rights (PDRs) granted by Class Q in Part 3, Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (SI 2015/596) (GPDO 2015).https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3874eadb26d211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Idf7ad8db26ae11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Idf7ad8db26ae11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn R (Perrin) v North Devon DC [2026] EWHC 535 (Admin), the High Court quashed a planning committee's grant of planning permission, which went against an officers' recommendation without explaining why. The decision was also vitiated by the apparent bias of one committee member. This judgment is important reading for any public decision-maker considering departing from an officers' report, which will require careful reasoning. It is also interesting because of the finding that apparent bias by one committee member can be enough to vitiate a whole decision.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Idf7ad8db26ae11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I96a89df226b311f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I96a89df226b311f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 23 March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published policy paper, Streamlining infrastructure planning: implementation plan. The paper sets out how the government plans to implement reforms in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (PIA 2025) to speed up decisions on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I96a89df226b311f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I13dad5e526c011f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I13dad5e526c011f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 23 March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the consultation Consulting the Secretary of State on planning decisions. The consultation relates to England only and closes on 4 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I13dad5e526c011f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia238a5a624a911f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia238a5a624a911f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 20 March 2026, the government’s response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's report, Delivering 1.5m new homes: Land Value Capture, was published.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia238a5a624a911f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I11760735269711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I11760735269711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 23 March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the consultation, Fees for planning applications. The consultation relates to England only and closes on 18 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I11760735269711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id5c4d7e9269e11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id5c4d7e9269e11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 20 March 2026, the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) announced that it will delay issuing some decisions and recommendations until after the local election period.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id5c4d7e9269e11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0a4fd9f8246011f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0a4fd9f8246011f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published its waste crime action plan for England setting out how it will tackle waste crime through prevention, enforcement and remediation, on 20 March 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0a4fd9f8246011f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic1a4b637232a11f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic1a4b637232a11f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTA round-up of the week's Brexit-related developments for the Practical Law Brexit current awareness alert to 20 March 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic1a4b637232a11f19e89beb9184c64d5/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id4fa7810237711f182b7cb1210d47fc6/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id4fa7810237711f182b7cb1210d47fc6/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 17 March 2026, the Compulsory Purchase of Land (Conditional Confirmation) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/308) were made and will come into force on 11 April 2026. These regulations set out the procedure for bringing into effect a compulsory purchase order (CPO) that has been confirmed conditionally.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Id4fa7810237711f182b7cb1210d47fc6/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29