REGENCY HALL, CHELTENHAM

14 August 2023

We are pleased to confirm that a Certificate of Lawful Proposed use has been granted for the use of Regency Hall, Cheltenham as a hostel, with shared facilities for use by occupants.  An application was approved on the 27th of June 2005 for the ‘erection of a 100-bed space student hostel (Class C1)’, however, there […]

Government releases additional consultation for further planning reforms

26 July 2023

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have published a consultation to “boost housebuilding and other growth”.  Released on 24th July 2023, and entitled “additional flexibilities to support housing delivery, the agricultural sector, businesses, high streets and open prisons”, this most recent consultation sets out a host of changes to existing permitted development (PD) […]

NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY REFORM: SUMMARY AND OPINION

6 July 2023

In December last year (2022), the government proposed a raft of new planning reforms, with the objective of streamlining the planning process whilst making it easier to release more land for housing and to obtain planning permission. The proposed text of the National Planning Policy Framework revisions was accompanied by an associated consultation report Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: […]

Planning application submitted on behalf of McMurtry Automotive for new research and development facility.

15 June 2023

Image Credit: Roberts Limbrick Architects Following extensive pre-application consultation with the local community, MEP has submitted the planning application for a new research and development facility on behalf of McMurtry Automotive. Specifically to be used for the development of electric vehicle technology, the proposal represents a unique and exciting opportunity to provide an innovative, bespoke […]

Government consults on easing legislation to convert redundant agricultural buildings into housing.

7 June 2023

The Government has pledged to make it easier to convert “redundant agricultural buildings” into homes. A document published yesterday (06/06/23) entitled ‘Unleashing Rural Opportunity’ outlines how government will deliver the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country”. The government has also confirmed that it will consult […]

Impact of planning and development on changes in council control

10 May 2023

It has been suggested that opposition to high housing growth was central to the Conservatives losing control of councils in Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Kent and South Gloucestershire. In Windsor and Maidenhead, a letter from the Conservative leader of the council to Michael Gove in March 2023 requested that the government grant the borough flexibility to deliver […]

MEP plays leading role as expert witness in Stroud Local Plan Examination

Paul Fong, MEP’s managing Director, has been actively participating in the current Stroud Local Plan Examination. On behalf of three clients; Sharpness Development LLP, Ecotricity and McMurtry, Paul has been providing evidence at the Stroud District Local Plan Examination.  The Examination, which is a virtual event, is an independent hearing conducted by the Planning Inspectorate.  […]