


Planning reform to accelerate housing delivery - at what cost?
Chrisa Tsompani examines how the Government’s sweeping planning reforms could reshape every layer of the building sector – from local authorities to small-medium builders, and considers the critical implications for environmental policies.
June 11, 2025
Planning reform to accelerate housing delivery - at what cost?
News
Must read

Families refusing access to support
Is home a suitable option for residence and care for a vulnerable adult if their family refuses access to support? Sophie Holmes analyses a recent ruling.
Features


Gas-fired power stations and greenhouse gas emissions
The Court of Appeal recently refused permission for a legal challenge to the Net Zero Teesside development consent order. Hereward Phillpot KC and Isabella Tafur explain why.
June 11, 2025
Gas-fired power stations and greenhouse gas emissions

The role of the Nature Restoration Fund
Rohini Vekaria looks at the potential for the Nature Restoration Fund to be another mechanism to help the natural environment without hindering development.
May 14, 2025
The role of the Nature Restoration Fund

When are statistics ‘held’ for the EIA/ FOIA?
The First-Tier Tribunal has given further guidance on requests made pursuant to FOIA and/ or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (“EIR”) for statistics. Conor Monighan examines the ruling.
May 09, 2025
When are statistics ‘held’ for the EIA/ FOIA?

The problem with Biodiversity Net Gain
One year on from new legislation making biodiversity net gain (BNG) a legal requirement for developers, research shows it has delivered less than half the habitat expected. David Richardson looks at what’s holding BNG back.
Apr 09, 2025
The problem with Biodiversity Net Gain

Recent appeals give colour to Grey Belt development uncertainty
Recent changes to the policy on Green Belt development in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have led to a string of decisions relating to schemes on grey belt land. Hermione Kemp and Matthew Tucker explore what the changes mean in practice and the implications of the decisions below.
Mar 13, 2025
Recent appeals give colour to Grey Belt development uncertainty
Webinars
Making solar add up – The revenues of a solar plant
Join the Green Steves in this insightful episode featuring Steve Gummer guest expert Manon Derelle, a seasoned professional in energy markets with over a decade of consulting experience.
More features

Acclimatise! You can’t afford to cop out!
Ben Standing shares his top 10 tips for local authorities to mitigate against claims arising as a result of climate change.
Environment Act and Biodiversity Net Gain
In this webinar Susan Sutherland and Cathryn Tracey provide an overview of the Parts of the Environment Act 2021, focussing on the provisions which impact the planning and compulsory purchase regime, particularly Biodiversity Net Gain and conservation covenants, and provide tips for issues to think about for projects which are being consented this year during the piecemeal introduction of all the provisions.
Multiple grounds of challenge and Aarhus legal costs
A recent judgment handed down by the Administrative Court in Wales has confirmed that cost protection under the Aarhus Convention did apply to a claim brought by an environmental activist against the Welsh Ministers. Alistair Taylor analyses the ruling.
The Walleys Quarry litigation – a commentary
Gordon Wignall and James Harrison look at the lessons to be learned from the Walleys Quarry litigation over the Environment Agency's regulation of a landfill site.
Waste is only waste if we waste it*
Michael Mousdale examines the measures in relation to waste enforcement and regulation set out in Part 3 of the Environment Act 2021 and assesses their impact on local authorities.
The Environment Act 2021
The Environment Act 2021, which received Royal Assent on 9 November 2021 following extensive debate in Parliament, introduces important requirements and changes for planners and developers, writes Ruth Keating.
Post COP26 – Where now for Local Government and Net Zero?
Laura Hughes sets out the key points for local authorities following the conclusion of COP26 in Glasgow.
The COP26 Decision: The Glasgow Climate Pact
COP26 has ended with an agreement, currently Decision -/CMA.3, which will more snappily be known as the Glasgow Climate Pact. Estelle Dehon, who attended the first week of COP26, considers what was achieved, what was not achieved and what happens next.
Build Back Greener: the Government's net zero strategy
The Government has published its environmental strategy outlining bold plans to support the UK economy to transition to a green and sustainable future, just days before it hosts the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Jonathan Branton and Alexander Rose consider some of the main points within the Net Zero Strategy, including how it could help position the UK as a leading economy in the Green Industrial Revolution.
The LLG Grapevine 19th July
Deborah Evans, Dennis Hall and Helen McGrath discuss the Lord Chief Justice's comments on Serious Court Failings, the Environment Bill and climate change, the future of the planning system, the Public Accounts Committee Test and Trace 2 Inquiry, council's financial black holes, the Supreme Courts position not to interfere with political choices, the Health & Social Care Bill and the CSPL Annual Report.
Climate change - extreme weather and shifting liability risks
James Fawcett considers what further developments we might see in response to shifting environmental challenges.
VAT’s the way I like it (if you’re the paying party)
Martin Carter explains the Court of Appeal’s decision in R (Friends of the Earth Limited) v Secretary of State for Transport [2021] EWCA Civ 13, which provides useful clarification on whether the Aarhus costs caps in the CPR are inclusive or exclusive of VAT.
The Environment Bill: Will it weaken or strengthen the UK’s environmental protections?
Stephen Tromans QC chairs a discussion of the key parts of the Environment Bill, looking particularly at developments over the Autumn and Winter.
A Green Brexit? Removing Red Tape or Increasing Environmental Protections?
Stephanie Wray, Alison Ogley and James Maurici QC consider the forthcoming changes in legislation and policy as the UK prepares to leave the EU on 31st December 2020.
Dealing with net zero, biodiversity and air quality issues in planning
Richard Barlow, Ben Standing, David Elvin QC and James Maurici QC consider the legal obligations and implications introduced by 'net zero' legislation. Also discussed: biodiversity net gain and dealing with air quality issues in planning.
Environmental law update
Celina Colquhoun, Rachel Sullivan and Stephen Tromans QC provide a case law update on air quality, climate change and other recent environmental decisions.
Encouraging greener travel
Shivaji Shiva discusses the changes local authorities are making to their transport policies to encourage greener modes of transport in cities.
Don’t put it in writing! Problems in store for local authority environmental crime
Ben Mills analyses an important ruling on the powers of local authorities to investigate environmental crime.
Current Issues in Environmental Law Part 3
The Landmark Chambers team discuss current issues in environmental law, including a habitats update, and waste and air quality issues surrounding the Environmental Bill.
Climate emergency #7 - have you thought about Pensions & Investments?
Philip Woolham looks at how pensions and investment can further the climate change agenda.
Climate Emergency #2 - have you thought about Planning?
Kathryn Lawrance considers how local authorities can use their planning role to further the climate change agenda.
Climate emergency #1 - have you thought about governance?
With many councils declaring a climate emergency, Victoria Barman examines the governance issues they face.
What to do about poor air quality?
The Court of Appeal recently decided that the Communities Secretary was not obliged to call in a planning application for a development that might affect air quality. Simon Ricketts analyses the ruling.
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