The Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 was finally published yesterday. Following on from the Housing and Planning Act 2016 the Act’s key aims are to strengthen the status of the neighbourhood plan, continue to encourage transparency and public involvement, and streamline and clarify the process.

Besides the continued support for the Neighbourhood planning system, the new Act sets out changes to the permitted development rights of pubs, the use of planning conditions, and rules for compulsory purchase and temporary possession amongst others. Most notably, the changes attempt to improve the time between planning permission and construction; to offer greater protection to pubs; and to subtly encourage the identification of housing land through the requirement for strategic plans for the use of land and a regular review and update of those documents.

Further details can be found in our May 2017 Briefing Note (see ‘Articles’).