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Insights // 16 May 2022

Planning Partner Comments on Crossrail and Planning Reforms

Karen Jones, Planning & Environmental Law partner, recently provided comment on two key pieces of news, alongside other leading firms including Savills, WWA, Lochailort Investments and Mode Transport Planning.

Appearing on the UK Property Forums website, firstly Karen commented on the announcement that the Elizabeth Line (“Crossrail”) is set to open on 24 May 2022:

“Despite the delays, we have we seen huge benefit during construction – the buoyant Thames Valley market is undoubtedly benefiting from the vast supply chain. “We now have direct connectivity to Central London and the line will continue to drive regeneration along the length of the route. “It has been projected that the new line will support the delivery of over 90,000 new houses. Nearly half of planning applications within a kilometre of an Elizabeth Line station have cited the new railway as a justification for the development proceeding, equating to around 5.3 million sq ft of residential, commercial and retail space.”

Secondly, Karen discussed planning reforms unveiled in the Queen’s Speech, delivered by Prince Charles on 10 May 2022:

“The planning reform is tinkering again and not all for the better The explanatory notes say that the new system will be based on the principles of beauty, infrastructure, democracy, environment and neighbourhood engagement. “How those will translate remains uncertain. One proposal is to limit the scope of Local Plans to ‘locally specific matters’. General policies on issues that apply in most areas will be national and in a suite of national development management policies, which will have the same weight so that they are fully taken into account in decisions. Local Plans will not be able to repeat these.”

As well as placing Blandy & Blandy among the UK's top 15 Planning law firms, Planning magazine’s 2020 Planning Law Survey acknowledged Karen Jones as one of the top 10 planning law solicitors in the UK. The firm is also highly recommended in the UK's leading guides to law firms, Chambers UK and The Legal 500.

For further information or legal advice, please contact law@blandy.co.uk or call 0118 951 6800. 

This article is intended for the use of clients and other interested parties. The information contained in it is believed to be correct at the date of publication, but it is necessarily of a brief and general nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional advice.

Karen Jones

Karen Jones

Partner, Planning & Environmental Law

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