News

A letter dated 15th April 2020 from the City of London Law Society to the Secretary of State adds weight to calls for greater flexibility in planning. Cornerstone Chambers, reported that it encapsulates well ‘… the wide range of issues faced by lawyers and the difficulties faced by their clients – and local planning authorities. […]

As part of our daily exercise routine, one of our namesakes Lucas ‘Chapman’ Spiller has been learning about putting up site notices – takes me back to the start of my career!   Giles Moir, Director at Chapman Lily Planning commented ‘He’ll be a planner man and boy that one; but we better check our […]

The Covid 19 crisis affects us all – but a recent article in Local Government Lawyer raised the issue of what a cessation in use of land or building might mean in terms of the ability to establish a lawful planning use or breach of a planning condition by the passage of time. Understandably, previous […]

Buckinghamshire is the latest area to form a Unitary Authority, merging the former County and District Councils.  It is now he largest local authority in the UK.   It follows in the wake of authorities such as Cornwall, Dorset and Wiltshire, who have all consolidated to reduce costs, increase the areas influence and lever in […]

A new Dorset Heathlands SPD has been adopted for the period 2020-2052.  It covers all of BCP Council and parts of Dorset Council.  Unsurprisingly it looks remarkably like a roll forward of the old one, but it does contain some subtle differences in approach – including differentiating between strategic and local Strategic Accessible Natural Greenspace […]

Chapman Lily Planning has been monitoring the responses of the development industry (in its widest sense) to the COVID19 crisis with a great deal of interest. Whilst each planning authority has adopted differing approaches to maintaining a flow of work we have been in constant communication with Councils via Teams, Skype and Webex to undertake […]