05 September 2026
This Good Practice Guidance Note sets out the infrastructure delivery requirements that strategic and local councils should prepare for as the new strategic planning system is established. It is intended to support chief executives, directors of place, planning policy leads, infrastructure planners, transport and highways teams, finance officers and elected members in identifying the early decisions, evidence and governance arrangements needed to protect local priorities while contributing to a coherent sub-regional strategy.
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03 September 2026
POS response to proposals to introduce permitted development rights for short term temporary ground investigations for electricity networks has been submitted.
Generally POS supports introducing new Permitted Development Rights to allow temporary, low‑impact ground investigations for electricity network projects, recognising their role in accelerating infrastructure delivery, but emphasises that safeguards are essential. While POS agrees with limits on depth, area, duration, reinstatement, tree protection, and temporary structures—and supports clear archaeological procedures—it raises strong concerns about cumulative impacts, landscape scarring, contamination risks, and the burden of prior notification. POS argues that designated landscapes and heritage sites should be excluded entirely, as even temporary works may cause harm requiring full planning assessment. Overall, POS backs the PDR only if prior notification is removed, designated areas are excluded, and coordination mechanisms are introduced to prevent repeated or concentrated investigations.
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03 August 2026
This consultation response sets out POS’s position on the Government’s proposed changes to permitted development rights covering schools affected by RAAC, assets of community value, development on closed defence sites, and new conservation measures within Environmental Delivery Plans. It supports time‑limited flexibility for schools and stronger protection for community assets, while emphasising the need for safeguards on defence‑related development to prevent long‑term impacts on communities, heritage and future land use. POS broadly welcomes enabling conservation measures to proceed efficiently but argues that prior approval should still apply in sensitive areas such as conservation areas, World Heritage Sites, listed buildings and protected landscapes. Across all topics, the response highlights the importance of maintaining local oversight, protecting amenity and heritage, ensuring environmental safeguards, and upholding the plan‑led system.
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08 June 2026
The Planning Officers Society response to this consultation supports the introduction of a clear and proportionate permitted development right for small-scale, non-domestic onshore wind turbines in England, as a practical way to encourage renewable energy generation where impacts are limited and manageable. It supports simple, measurable safeguards such as limits on turbine size, buffer distances, and certification standards, but does not support extending these rights to larger or multiple turbines, where impacts are more complex and better assessed through the normal planning application process. POS also opposes the use of prior approval, arguing that if certain impacts require assessment, sensitive areas should instead be excluded from permitted development altogether.
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03 June 2026
The new National Scheme of Delegation (NSD) will come into force on 31 October 2026. LPAs will need to review and update their constitutions to ensure they reflect the NSD. POS has developed a Good Practice Guidance Note (GPGN) containing advice and a series of templates covering each of the main requirements of the new NSD.
The GPGN and templates are for use by POS members to streamline their constitutional review process and support POS members with a comprehensive and efficient update of their documentation and procedures to meet the NSD requirements.
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01 June 2026
A simple infographic showing the relationship between SDSs, national and local planning, growth, infrastructure and environmental documents.
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