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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12 May 2026
The Government is consulting on major changes to planning fees, including a new 90% cost‑recovery model. POS supports simplification but strongly opposes the fee cap, calling instead for full cost recovery to protect the capacity and quality of local planning services.
See POS response in the attached document
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05 May 2026
The POS Good Practice Guidance Note: Strategic Applications sets out how local planning authorities can shift from a traditional Development Team Service to a more proactive Design Team Service, ensuring that good design is embedded from the very start of major development proposals. The guide explains that Government now expects the planning system to “achieve well designed spaces” and treat the creation of high‑quality places as “fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve” . It highlights national initiatives such as the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission and the National Design Guide, all reinforcing the need for stronger design leadership in planning.
The guidance provides a structured five‑stage pre‑application model—Initiation, Urban Design, Community Engagement, Application Preparation and Closedown—aligned with the RIBA Plan of Work to maximise early influence on design outcomes. It emphasises collaborative working between planners, developers, councillors, communities and specialist consultees, supported by tools such as Planning Statements, Project Plans and Planning Performance Agreements. The overall aim is a front‑loaded, design‑led process that delivers better places, reduces risk, and ensures that strategic applications arrive as well‑considered, high‑quality proposals ready for determination.
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