Governments appetite for seeking out red tape seems to be unlimited. Business Secretary Sajid Javid has launched a review of the way local authorities regulate businesses. This exercise will take into account “burdens imposed by […]
Creating New Communities – good practice guides
The Town and Country Planning Association have launched a set of practical guides to help local authorities and developers involves in creating new communities. John Jennings who is working on master-plans for two new housing […]
Are utility companies restricting housing growth?
A new Housing & Finance Institute report has highlighted that housing growth is being held back by sluggish performance by utility companies. Perhaps there is then some truth in our long standing stance that housing […]
Recent changes to permitted development rights
The Department for Communities and Local Government has laid before Parliament the regulations which make office to residential conversions a permanent feature of permitted development (PD) rights from 6 April. The rights were first introduced […]
New transport infrastructure – but not the north east!
Chancellor George Osborne this week committed £300m to kick-start work on major transport schemes in the capital and the North, specifically Crossrail 2 and rail and road links between Manchester and Leeds, which are expected […]
A budget for new garden cities?
Wednesday’s Budget announcements confirmed the government’s appetite for a new wave of garden settlements with a promise of legislation to make it easier for local authorities to work together to create new garden towns and […]
Planners or mediators?
Great to have a client that listens to the concerns of local residents and is willing to change the hours of operation proposed initially in their planning application to ensure that locals are not adversely […]
Charities can make money from renewable energy
Charities that own assets in the form of land and buildings have the opportunity to generate both energy and income. We have advised a number of charities on the potential for wind, hydro,geothermal and solar […]
Drive, walk, cycle or use public transport?
It’s always a challenge to be mindful of the environmental impact of how you work- At ethical partnership we are always looking to minimise the amount of car journeys we make – particularly solo journeys ! […]
Planning permission secured for charity’s solar farm
Durham county council have granted permission for our clients proposed 5MW Solar farm in Comsett. Ethical partnership were the agents for the application and prepared the scheme designs together with the heritage and landscape impact assesments […]
Government proposals for planning reforms – our response
The pace of change in planning policy seems relentless, its great that our professional institute is on the ball and responding to the tide of proposals for reform. We are pleased to support the latest […]
Planners welcome updated professional ‘Code of Practice’
Our professional team of planners at ethical partnership have all welcomed the news that the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has recently published its updated Code of Professional Conduct (the Code). The RTPI’s five key principles […]