Mark Fessey
@markfessey.bsky.social
All round local plan enthusiast (not just housing targets), mainly looking to point out that whilst plan-making is complicated, the underlying principle (balancing interests spatially) is clear.
For anyone who's ever tried to open up the NPPF to learn about housing targets etc, it's not easy.
Here is how I understand things. 🧵
Here is how I understand things. 🧵
January 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
For anyone who's ever tried to open up the NPPF to learn about housing targets etc, it's not easy.
Here is how I understand things. 🧵
Here is how I understand things. 🧵
Prediction for chancellor speech: fiscal rules + no tax rises + no cuts + no deregulation = planning reform.
January 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Prediction for chancellor speech: fiscal rules + no tax rises + no cuts + no deregulation = planning reform.
Is there any analysis out there of how often a traitor is the last one to walk into the breakfast room, or in the final two or even final three? #thetraitors
January 3, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Is there any analysis out there of how often a traitor is the last one to walk into the breakfast room, or in the final two or even final three? #thetraitors
This sounds very proactive. Good to have open discussions about the best geographies. Personal view is that Swindon has a lot to offer looking east!
December 19, 2024 at 8:14 PM
This sounds very proactive. Good to have open discussions about the best geographies. Personal view is that Swindon has a lot to offer looking east!
I thoroughly recommend this for anyone trying to understand the whole 'housing targets' debate. The point not having to justify high growth is a little strange though. www.gov.uk/guidance/hou...
Housing and economic needs assessment
Guides councils in how to assess their housing needs.
www.gov.uk
December 12, 2024 at 3:18 PM
I thoroughly recommend this for anyone trying to understand the whole 'housing targets' debate. The point not having to justify high growth is a little strange though. www.gov.uk/guidance/hou...
Interesting to read the SoS's Telegraph article ("mandatory targets" were scrapped and will be "restored") and listen to the BBC interview (local plans will be made "mandatory" and "compulsory"; no mention of targets). Here's my take 👇
December 8, 2024 at 10:18 AM
Interesting to read the SoS's Telegraph article ("mandatory targets" were scrapped and will be "restored") and listen to the BBC interview (local plans will be made "mandatory" and "compulsory"; no mention of targets). Here's my take 👇
This about sums it up. One thing that's not changed, it's clear, is that local plan-making is still seen by skillful politicans as a ⚽️
In the new NPPF next week, we mustn't have deliberate ambiguity like in 2022/23. There is need, and there is a housing requirement, and in-between is plan-making.
In the new NPPF next week, we mustn't have deliberate ambiguity like in 2022/23. There is need, and there is a housing requirement, and in-between is plan-making.
Planning news from this time last year.
Nothing has changed but then everything has.
Nothing has changed but then everything has.
December 7, 2024 at 9:16 AM
This about sums it up. One thing that's not changed, it's clear, is that local plan-making is still seen by skillful politicans as a ⚽️
In the new NPPF next week, we mustn't have deliberate ambiguity like in 2022/23. There is need, and there is a housing requirement, and in-between is plan-making.
In the new NPPF next week, we mustn't have deliberate ambiguity like in 2022/23. There is need, and there is a housing requirement, and in-between is plan-making.
Final Regulation 18 consultation on the Maidstone Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople DPD here: localplan.maidstone.gov.uk/home/gypsy-t.... There's a commitment to provide for full cultural need (not the planning definition), but there are no sites, despite the need being 529 pitches!
November 16, 2024 at 10:49 AM
Final Regulation 18 consultation on the Maidstone Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople DPD here: localplan.maidstone.gov.uk/home/gypsy-t.... There's a commitment to provide for full cultural need (not the planning definition), but there are no sites, despite the need being 529 pitches!
It's all a bit complicated. A first step might be to review use of the term 'exceptional circumstances', which imo has been found wanting by the Oxford City Inspectors' interpretation of NPPF para 61. Just weigh everything in the balance, accounting for GB purposes and any grey characteristics.
“Come on people! "We need something between ‘brownfield first’, which is clearly not enough, and protecting genuine nature spots, which is clearly a given."
“Grey Belt, Minister?”
“Go on...”
samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/11/on-g...
“Grey Belt, Minister?”
“Go on...”
samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/11/on-g...
On Grey Belt
samuelstafford.blogspot.com
November 14, 2024 at 9:22 PM
It's all a bit complicated. A first step might be to review use of the term 'exceptional circumstances', which imo has been found wanting by the Oxford City Inspectors' interpretation of NPPF para 61. Just weigh everything in the balance, accounting for GB purposes and any grey characteristics.
This is all spot on and really helpful. I think just missing a para on the relationship between defined housing need (typically referred to as the target for every local plan) and the housing requirement set by every local plan (sometimes referred to as the target).
The country will not build 300,000 homes a year unless we actually plan to build 300,000 homes a year.
Something what I have written on the case for reforming the standard method.
samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/09/fail...
Something what I have written on the case for reforming the standard method.
samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/09/fail...
On the case for reforming the standard method
samuelstafford.blogspot.com
November 12, 2024 at 8:01 AM
This is all spot on and really helpful. I think just missing a para on the relationship between defined housing need (typically referred to as the target for every local plan) and the housing requirement set by every local plan (sometimes referred to as the target).
Equally vast room for improvement with local plans. I think the first step is to shine a light on organisations engaging / not engaging (or, at least, not well) and to worry less about counting individuals having their say (in turn, encourage individuals to lobby their councillor or an org).
Something what I have written about the role of statutory consultees within the planning system.
samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/11/on-s...
samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/11/on-s...
On Stat Cons
samuelstafford.blogspot.com
November 6, 2024 at 7:57 PM
Equally vast room for improvement with local plans. I think the first step is to shine a light on organisations engaging / not engaging (or, at least, not well) and to worry less about counting individuals having their say (in turn, encourage individuals to lobby their councillor or an org).
Here's a summary of a local plan-making process that is just getting underway. Is it really a "draft plan" consultation when the intention is not to action consultation responses, but rather forward them on to a planning inspector 🤔
November 4, 2024 at 10:56 AM
Here's a summary of a local plan-making process that is just getting underway. Is it really a "draft plan" consultation when the intention is not to action consultation responses, but rather forward them on to a planning inspector 🤔
I think dysfunctional is the word when KS misunderstands a fundamental aspect of planning, which is that balance is central (aka sustainable development), hence we have never had mandatory targets. We have to do better.
November 2, 2024 at 10:44 PM
I think dysfunctional is the word when KS misunderstands a fundamental aspect of planning, which is that balance is central (aka sustainable development), hence we have never had mandatory targets. We have to do better.
Important not to conflate 1) the transitional arrangements; and 2) the inevitable need for flexibility to at least consider a housing requirement set below housing need. The TAs are dodgy, but they of course essential, and taking account of them is far from can-kicking. Need to be fair to LPAs.
November 1, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Important not to conflate 1) the transitional arrangements; and 2) the inevitable need for flexibility to at least consider a housing requirement set below housing need. The TAs are dodgy, but they of course essential, and taking account of them is far from can-kicking. Need to be fair to LPAs.
This is indeed what we need (better late than never): spatially disaggregated targets driven by affordability but also integrating wider factors. The 'integrating' part is challenging though, so it can't be entirely national top down or LPA bottom up. Need a middle layer which is strategic plans.
October 21, 2024 at 9:49 AM
This is indeed what we need (better late than never): spatially disaggregated targets driven by affordability but also integrating wider factors. The 'integrating' part is challenging though, so it can't be entirely national top down or LPA bottom up. Need a middle layer which is strategic plans.
Am I kidding myself in thinking that the details in fact matter as much as the vibe!?
October 3, 2024 at 12:38 PM
Am I kidding myself in thinking that the details in fact matter as much as the vibe!?
This about sums up the pickle we're in (ahead of the return of strategic planning). Quelle surprise, but the solution (ahead of the return of strategic planning) is somewhere in the middle!
September 27, 2024 at 1:10 PM
This about sums up the pickle we're in (ahead of the return of strategic planning). Quelle surprise, but the solution (ahead of the return of strategic planning) is somewhere in the middle!
Easy read author didn't get the memo about the need to be vague: the 22/23 NPPF didn't make any changes re use of the SM to calculate need (i.e. there has always been the potential to use an alternative method in exceptional circumstances)!
September 24, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Easy read author didn't get the memo about the need to be vague: the 22/23 NPPF didn't make any changes re use of the SM to calculate need (i.e. there has always been the potential to use an alternative method in exceptional circumstances)!
Congrats to Wokingham BC for agreeing a Reg 19 Local Plan at full council. The failed amendment was an interesting one: Remove two main allocations (3,500 homes) and give officers two weeks to find replacement urban supply and/or justify unmet needs! From 1 hour: www.youtube.com/live/6a3e-sq...
September 20, 2024 at 7:55 AM
Congrats to Wokingham BC for agreeing a Reg 19 Local Plan at full council. The failed amendment was an interesting one: Remove two main allocations (3,500 homes) and give officers two weeks to find replacement urban supply and/or justify unmet needs! From 1 hour: www.youtube.com/live/6a3e-sq...
Hi @kiranstacey.bsky.social there are two separate things and the distinction is really important as we look to explain how the plan-led system works: 1) housing need; and 2) the housing requirement that all local plans must set. 1/2 www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
New home planning approvals in England fall to lowest level in a decade
Housebuilders blame decline on former government’s decision to end binding targets for local authorities
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Hi @kiranstacey.bsky.social there are two separate things and the distinction is really important as we look to explain how the plan-led system works: 1) housing need; and 2) the housing requirement that all local plans must set. 1/2 www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Absolutely do need to always work hard to persuade communities. The right circumstances being where it's plan-led and the plan is prepared by an acountable LPA under sensible regs. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
September 15, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Absolutely do need to always work hard to persuade communities. The right circumstances being where it's plan-led and the plan is prepared by an acountable LPA under sensible regs. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Slow news day! Also, this misunderstanding is quite something: "There is also concern that the new national planning policy framework (NPPF) waters down targets for affordable homes, with a previous stipulation that at least 10% of new homes would have to be affordable being scrapped."
September 6, 2024 at 3:01 PM
Slow news day! Also, this misunderstanding is quite something: "There is also concern that the new national planning policy framework (NPPF) waters down targets for affordable homes, with a previous stipulation that at least 10% of new homes would have to be affordable being scrapped."
"... accept short term pain for long term good. The difficult trade-off for the genuine solution." I look forward to pinching this in the local plan context!
August 27, 2024 at 7:26 PM
"... accept short term pain for long term good. The difficult trade-off for the genuine solution." I look forward to pinching this in the local plan context!