20 October 2026
POS supports the Government’s objective of reducing delays and complexity in the use of Section 106 agreements but argues that a standardised template alone will not deliver meaningful reform. In its response to the consultation on standard planning agreements for medium-sized sites, POS calls for a more fundamental legislative approach that standardises planning obligations through secondary legislation, introduces mechanisms to resolve negotiation deadlocks, and reforms affordable housing and infrastructure delivery arrangements. While broadly supporting many of the draft clauses proposed in the consultation, POS emphasises the need for a more efficient, practical and legally robust system that reduces unnecessary negotiation, provides greater certainty for applicants and local planning authorities, and maximises the delivery of affordable housing and essential infrastructure. This position builds on a series of longstanding POS policy papers aimed at creating a more effective and deliverable planning system.
Our response can be downloaded below
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20 October 2026
Planning Officers Society’s response to the Government’s proposals for expanding mayoral planning powers in England. While broadly supportive of stronger strategic planning and greater mayoral involvement in delivering Spatial Development Strategies (SDS), POS argues that meaningful intervention powers should only come into effect once an SDS has been adopted. The response emphasises the need for locally tailored strategic significance thresholds, adequate planning resources and specialist skills, clear governance arrangements, and robust consultation processes. It also supports the introduction of Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy (MCIL) powers to fund a wider range of strategic infrastructure, alongside measures to protect critical assets such as minerals and freight facilities. Overall, POS welcomes the proposals as an important step towards more effective strategic planning and devolution, while stressing that successful implementation will depend on proper resourcing, clear accountability, and alignment with adopted strategic plans
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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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01 June 2026
A simple infographic showing the relationship between SDSs, national and local planning, growth, infrastructure and environmental documents.
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