...Ministers have said in Parliament that the Government will put in place "transitional arrangements that advantage plan making" to reflect the fact that the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is about putting local communities in control of planning.

That was highlighted by Communities Minister Baroness Hanham during the seventh and final day of the Report Stage of the Localism Bill in the Lords. Its Third Reading in the Upper House is now scheduled for 31 October.

POS had highlighted its concerns over transitional arrangements in its response to the draft NPPFand at the Select Committee hearing.

POS is preparing its own submission regarding transitional arrangements - available to POS members only

• Core Strategies

Rushmoor CS Adopted

The core strategy sets out the spatial strategy for development in Rushmoor until 2027. It aims to accommodate more than 6,000 new homes in the borough, of which 4,250 will be on former military land in Aldershot. The strategy also includes policies protecting key employment sites, encouraging affordable housing, protecting sensitive ecological areas and setting out how, if proposed, the council should consider any future changes at Farnborough Airport. >> read more

Barnsley CS Adopted

The strategy outlines planning policy for the future development of the area to 2026 has been adopted by the Council after having to make amendments to make the housing policies sound. This includes more detail on the area's housing requirements and adding an affordable housing target to make it comply with the national housing planning policy document PPS3. >> read more

 Chiltern CS Found Sound

The council's core strategy, which sets out how the council will plan for housing and other new development in the district up to 2026, has been declared "sound". The inspector, Simon Emerson, said: "[Our] report concludes that the core strategy for Chiltern District Council ... provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the district over the next 15 years.  >> read more 

• DCLG: Neighbourhood planning regulations - A consultation. The Localism Bill leaves various procedural and technical requirements of the neighbourhood planning system to regulations. This consultation seeks views on whether the proposed neighbourhood planning regulations are fit for purpose. >> read more and >> read the draft POS response

• Lincolnshire County Council to lead new network supporting councils going for housing growth

DCLG announced that LCC will lead a new housing growth best practice network. The network will provide a range of support and advice that councils can draw on in developing plans and applying the best practice when it comes to delivering sustainable development. This will include advice on how best to tackle environment and infrastructure issues affecting housing growth such as flooding, water supply, nature conservation impacts and transport. It will also establish an advisory group bringing together local authorities, publicising case studies, linking with the private sector and universities as well as relevant departments and agencies. >> read more

• Development Management - planning on the front foot 

an unofficial blog of the Planning Advisory Service team

• Enforcement and the National Planning Policy Framework: Is it time for Enforcement to come into the light? 

Dave Westhead, Vice Chairman of the National Association of Planning Enforcement officers (NAPE) shares his thoughts on this PAS webpage on the absence in the NPPF of any explicit reference to enforcement as an important part of implementing the plan and decisions and maintaining the quality of the environment. >> read more

• Connecting Councillors with Strategic Planning Applications 

Councillor involvement is still a key part of the planning process and with the suggested changes in the Localism Bill councillors will be given a freer hand to express their views on planning matters. With this in mind London First and the Planning Officers Society London have produced a very useful guidance note on how councillors can be involved in determining a strategic planning applications.
"This guidance is designed to illuminate the uncertainty that exists about councillors being involved in the pre-application stage. Involving councillors early in the planning process allows them greater input, can give applicants and the local community more certainty and clarity in decision-making, but most importantly of all, it produces better quality developments." Mike Kiely, Convenor, Planning Officers Society London Region. >> read more 

• GAMES 2012: Advertising and Trading Regulations

The Government's  outdoor advertising and trading regulations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are now available. >> read more 

•  President's Piece

This month has again been dominated by the draft National Planning Policy Framework, and the Society's response. Our formal response was submitted and I hope you take the time to peruse it, it can be found here. I know that you have all been working on your own authorities responses and I hope that you will find the POS work a robust and positive one. I am very grateful to all those Members who contributed to our submission, but a particular thanks must go to Stuart Hylton of the Berkshire Joint Strategic Unit. Stuart has been a stalwart of the Society, acting as a Convenor and contributor on many issues. Stuart is leaving his role with the Unit but in his retirement has agreed to help us deal with some of the remaining issues on the NPPF for a short time. On behalf of the Society I wish Stuart well for the future which I know will be busy as he continues his career as a renowned author on local history.

There has been continuing contact with the media, although despite the effort that went into helping the producers of File on 4, there was disappointing airtime given to our views. One could not complain though about the availability of access to our views when Stuart and I gave evidence to the Parliamentary Select Committee on the NPPF as it was broadcast live and unedited on Parliament.tv, alongside the other protagonists in the debate.  There was no shaving foam in sight!

I have worked on two articles recently - one for a Local Government journal, and another done for a freelance journalist found its way into what I would describe as a 'style' magazine, which I found strange.

The Society has been looking at ways in which we can improve our communication with Members, and to this end there is a Planning Officers Society Group on Facebook. I hope that those of you on Facebook will join the Group and make contributions. I would welcome your feedback on this.

We continue to work with others professions and bodies, and I would particularly point to our involvement with the Housing Delivery Steering Group, set up under the chairmanship of Sir John Harmon. The aim of the group is to improve the delivery of new homes through two strands that are looking at viability issues and local standards. The proposal is to produce 'good practice' in these areas to help achieve the aim. If any member is interested in participating in the Standards Workshop stream they should contact Stephen Tapper.

All in all there is a lot going on, and it sometimes feels very difficult to keep up with everything but hopefully through the Society we can help you with this.

Finally, you may (or may not) be interested in how my 'epic' cycle ride went. Well, on a fantastically warm day a 'silver' class time was on the cards with less than 10 miles to go when my participation ended when I collided with a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. I am living proof that helmets work, and feel lucky that nothing was broken, but it does give you a different perspective on life. Be careful out there!

Mike Holmes, President 2011/12

• New Members

The Society is pleased to welcome 53 new members this month: Wellingborough BC (3), Cambridgeshire CC (10), Central Bedfordshire (3), South Tyneside MBC (1), Torridge DC (1), Devon CC (2), RB Kensington & Chelsea (1), West Sussex CC (2), Staffordshire CC (1), Oxfordhsire CC (2), Poole BC (1), Bournemouth BC (1), Cornwall (2), Fareham BC (1), Halton BC (1), LB Barking & Dagenham (1), LB Ealing (1), LB Hammersmith & Fulham (1), LB Harrow (1), LB Havering (2), LB Lambeth (2), LB Newnham (1), LB Southwark (1), LB Sutton (1), Greater London Authority (2), Wandsworth BC (5), Wiltshire (3).

• Consultation Responses
  • Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 
  • NPPF Transitional Arrangements 
  • Registration of New Town or Village Greens 
  • DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORK FOR UK AVIATION: SCOPING DOCUMENT 
  • LOCAL PLANNING REGULATIONS CONSULTATION
  • NPPF - POS Response
  • Report of the Office of Fair Trading Market Study into UK Aggregates Sector
  • Use Classes Order Call for Evidence
• Media Releases
  • POS Responds to Draft NPPF Consultation 14/10/2011
  • POS Publishes New CIL and Infrastructure Planning Advice Note 26/10/11

• POS Events
  • Spatial Planning & Policy Committee 16 November
  • London Region 18 November
  • POS Trustees Board 25 November
  • Cabinet 25 November
  • POSE Ltd Board 25 November
• Training/CPD not necessarily endorsed by POS
  • Localism & Inquiry Masterclass - 7 November, Birmingham
  • After McNulty Rail Series: Devolution - 9 & 10 November, Osborne Clarke Law Firm, London
  • Effective Surveys & Questionnaires - 22 November, London
  • Public Engagement 2012 Conference - 23 November,  Consultation Institute, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
  • Smart Cities 2011 - 23 November, QEII Conference Centre, London.
  • Bringing and Defending High Court Challenges to Administrative Decision: A Practical Guide to How to Bring Them, How to Defend Them, and How to Fund Them - 28 November, Maple House, Birmingham
  • UK Ports National Conference - Policy, planning and regulation update - 6 December, Bircham Dyson Bell, London 

• Prime Minister David Cameron uses keynote speech to the Conservative party conference to defend changes to the planning system >> read the speech in full
• Mineral safeguarding in England: good practice advice -  This document provides advice and supporting case studies for the implementation of mineral safeguarding national policy; POS contributed to its preparation. >> read more and download a copy.
• DCLG: Accelerating the release of public sector land. This summary report provides an update following the announcement by the Housing Minister in June 2011 of government plans to accelerate the release of public sector land to deliver up to 100,000 homes within the Comprehensive Spending Review period. >> read more
• Heritage, localism and the big society. English Heritage has launched an online checklist launched to provide advice and guidance to groups. >> see the checklist
• Green Infrastructure Partnership has been created to help communities make more innovative use of existing grey infrastructure. The publication of Local Green Infrastructure: Helping Communities make the most of their Landscape by the Landscape Institute is designed to inspire people to make positive changes in their neighbourhoods >> read more
• Registration is now open for the 2011 World Town Planning Day Online Conference - an exciting line-up of speakers from around the world can be accessed via the online conversation. >> find out more 
• New Planning Adviser for Nature After Minerals. NAM - the partnership programme between RSPB and Natural England, with support from the minerals industry - is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Planning Adviser. Dr. Carolyn Jewell joins the NAM from a background in ecological consultancy, specialising in Environmental Impact Assessments and various environmental issues in the planning system. >> read more about NAM
• The Future of Sustainable Cities.  This book by John Flint & Mike Raco investigates how the meanings and politics of urban sustainability are being radically rethought in response to the economic downturn and the credit crunch. In this ground-breaking contribution, prominent scholars provide up to date coverage of the impacts of recent changes on key areas of urban planning, including housing, transport, and the environment, and map out core areas for future research. >> read more

The conference costs only £65 per person, with discounts available for people who attended the inaugural Nearer to Zero conference last year . Visit www.nearertozero.co.uk for details and to register your interest in attending.

Nearer to zero is a joint initiative between the Zero Carbon Hub and the HBF and is sponsored by CITB-ConstructionSkills.

Sean Rendall, Head of Policy and Strategy, Energy Centre for Sustainable Communities Ltd

• Investing in Creative Communities: The provision of affordable artists' studios - A role for Spatial Planning

Here at nfasp we have just recently published a guide for planning and regeneration professionals, that demonstrates with examples how affordable artists' studios can contribute to sustainable communities.

"Investing in Creative Communities: The provision of affordable artists' studios - A role for Spatial Planning" has been written by Professor Martin Elson, Professor in Planning at Oxford Brookes University and produced by the National Federation of Artists' Studio Providers.

Research over the last ten years demonstrates a consistent and sustained demand for affordable artists' studios. Waiting lists of studios remain high across the UK during economic crisis and boom. Existing providers are looking to expand and new groups are seeking suitable premises all the time.

This guide shows how local government, social and private developers, specialist and experienced artists' studio providers and the wider visual arts community can work together effectively to plan and deliver studios for working artists.

Helen Pike, Assistant Director, National Federation of Artists' Studio Providers (NFASP)

• Bar raised for bathing standards

Here at the Environment Agency, efforts to protect and improve the quality of bathing waters along our coast and at inland waters is a top priority. We monitor the quality of nearly 500 bathing waters throughout England and Wales.

Bathing water quality has improved dramatically over the past 20 years, driven by our investigations into the causes of pollution and major investment by water companies. But, there is more to be done. The introduction in 2015 of new European legislation - the revised Bathing Water Directive - brings tougher standards for bathing water quality. Put simply, water quality in many of our coastal towns and resorts will have to be twice as good. If a bathing water fails the new standards, there will be advice against bathing at that site.

All of this could have a major impact on tourism and the local economy. So, it will become increasingly important for local authorities to work with the Environment Agency to find more innovative ways of keeping bathing water clean.Over the past few years we have been working closely with lots of local authorities across the country. From Bournemouth to Blackpool, there's a lot happening to improve the quality of our bathing waters.

1 in 10 bathing waters are still at risk of not meeting the new standards. Improvements may not be possible overnight, so new initiatives to turn around water quality need to start now to deliver better results by 2015, and beyond. >> find out more.

Chris Tuckett, Bathing Water lead at the Environment Agency. 

... have you heard that Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude called the National Trust's response to the draft NPPF "bo!!!cks"? >> read more

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