Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 27/01/2026NEW The housing minister Matthew Pennycook has taken Bristol City Council out of special measures, after finding it had improved its handling of planning applications It means Bristol regains control of its planning decisions Story👇 www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1946... 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 27/01/2026🚨 The government has admitted it made a “serious logical error” in approving a huge green belt data centre without assessing its environmental impact The High Court also said govt should pay the campaigners who lodged the challenge up to £70,000 in costs www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1946... 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/01/2026NEW Ministers are considering a report by @labourtogether.bsky.social that recommends the gov set up a development corporation to deliver the Ox-Cam Corridor Its authors say the DC should be able to “bypass local politics” and report directly to chancellor www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1946... 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 22/01/2026The housing secretary Steve Reed has acknowledged that the government’s objective of delivering 1.5 million homes this parliament is “challenging” but insisted it remains “doable” Savills predicts that 840,000 homes will be delivered this parliament www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1945... 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 20/01/2026NEW Steve Reed, the housing secretary, has approved controversial plans for a new Chinese embassy in London Reed said there was “no suggestion” that the new embassy's proximity to sensitive underground communication cables would present a security risk www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1945... 000
Reposted by Alex KingJennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 13/01/2026Excl Birmingham to Manchester is back on as.ft.com/r/771bb6e6-4...as.ft.comMinisters to announce new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester[FREE TO READ] Government will reveal much-delayed plans for major new and upgraded rail links in north of England 712226
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 06/06/2025NEW The National Audit Office has said an “imbalance in capacity and capability between the public and private sector” means developers can “manipulate” their viability assessments to cut infrastructure contributions More 👇 www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1920... 020
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 30/05/2025🚨 One of the government's own advisors on biodiversity net gain has raised concerns about its proposal to exempt small housing schemes from the duty www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1919... 010
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 29/05/2025NEW The government has proposed that residential schemes of up to 9 homes be exempt from biodiversity net gain in order to speed up construction More 👇 www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1919... 010
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 29/05/202576% of planning committee members in England say gov’s 1.5m homes target is “unachievable”, a survey by SEC Newgate finds -33% cited a shortage in construction skills as the main blocker -19% blamed the “negative impact of perceived developer land-banking” www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1919... 000
Reposted by Alex KingJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 27/05/2025from all the calls I have been getting from journalists Reform UK seem to be quoting an @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer from 2021 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/expl...instituteforgovernment.org.ukPaying for net zero | Institute for GovernmentWorking out a fair way to distribute the costs will be among the most important determinants of a successful transition to net zero. 66434
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025One Reform council leader told me they were “not planning to cut roles”, but warned: “We have four key focuses. If it doesn’t look after an elderly or vulnerable person, educate a child, clean a street or fill a pothole, we will question everything - and I mean everything.” 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Reform’s drive to “cut council waste” and its renewed focus on frontline services could benefit planning departments, some people suggested But some roles could be at risk. You may want to rebrand if you are a 'net zero officer' for example www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...lgcplus.comReform to send in ‘taskforces’ to cut waste | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)Reform UK plans to hire “taskforces” of auditors to cut council waste, but one council leader who lost his seat warned that this would be difficult to 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025A bigger concern for some though is that the government’s “fear of Reform” will lead it “to knee jerk into their agenda to claw back disaffected Labour voters” This may articulate itself in the gov watering down nature protections and climate targets in national planning policy 110
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Again though, local plans have to follow national guidance” and be signed off by the Planning Inspectorate “Plans will be refused if they do not conform to national guidance,” one commentator said. “So Reform rhetoric will eventually hit a proverbial brick wall.” 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Reform politicians could wield influence over strategic planning “If Reform are smart about this, they will make amendments to local plans,” said one observer Both Northamptonshire councils are in early stages of preparing new plans, Doncaster and Durham due to review theirs 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025That said, councils have to adhere to national planning policy when deciding apps Developers can appeal if their schemes are refused. If they win, costs are awarded against the council If Reform councils go against national guidance, they could soon be in financial trouble 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Where Reform councils do make decisions on schemes, expect lots of opposition to green belt schemes and renewable energy infrastructure, particularly in places like Lincolnshire and Doncaster, where Reform is now the largest party and energy secretary Ed Miliband is the local MP 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Then again, county councils can wield influence through infrastructure development, one Reform county council leader told me “County councils tend to do big infrastructure projects like highways,” they said. “It’s difficult to put up a new housing estate if there's no highways.” 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025But what can Reform councils actually do? Most planning decisions take place at the district level and Reform only took two district councils. Reform councils therefore won't decide many applications Nor do their mayors have the power to intervene on schemes like London's mayor 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Reform have upped the ante since the elections, with deputy leader Richard Tice saying his party would wage “war” on net zero projects in the countryside He said Reform councils would use “planning blockages” and “judicial reviews” to frustrate such plans www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...telegraph.co.ukReform’s councils begin war on net zero projects in countrysideRichard Tice declares party’s local authorities will do everything to block renewable developments 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Some Reform candidates opposed development over infrastructure concerns, others to protect the green belt Some, of course, linked immigration and housing x.com/darrengrimes... 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025What did Reform promise to do? Broadly speaking, they ran on anti-development and net zero scepticism Greater Lincolnshire mayor Andrea Jenkyns, for instance, campaigned against new solar farms in the county hopenothate.org.uk/2025/04/17/a...hopenothate.org.ukAndrea Jenkyns is Waging War on Solar Panels, Net Zero – and Air FryersWhile homes flood and farmland suffers, Reform UK’s mayoral candidate for Lincolnshire is busy picking fights with solar panels, net zero policy – and even free air fryers for pensioners. 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025…- Gained 2 mayors (Greater Lincolnshire, Hull & East Yorkshire) -And a new MP in Runcorn & Helsby This is the best result a party led by Nigel Farage has had in locals. Next best was 2015 when precursor UKIP took Thanet and became largest group in Thurrock. Neither UKIP or Reform have had mayors 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025But first, how did Reform do? - It won 677 council seats - Seized 7 county councils (Durham, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Kent) - Gained 2 district councils (West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire) … 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025With @reform-uk-official.bsky.social now in control of 9 councils and 2 mayoralties, I've been investigating how much planning power it wields, the kinds of schemes it may back or block and what Reform control means for planning officers in those councils🧵 www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1918... 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Bats and newts did not cause planning delays last year, new research by @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social and @rspb.bsky.social suggests Analysis of 17,433 planning appeals in England in 2024 found newts were relevant in 140 (0.8%) of cases and bats in 432 (2.48%) www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comWildlife charities urge Labour to scrap ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning billConservationists say part of bill allowing developers to avoid environmental laws by paying into nature fund should be ditched 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 09/05/2025NEW Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has announced he will “actively explore” releasing bits of London's green belt for development Khan claimed GB “can often be low-quality land” that is “rarely enjoyed by Londoners” He opposed building on it until 2024 www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1917... 100
Reposted by Alex KingGND Media @gndmedia.bsky.social · 06/05/2025'The climate movement is experiencing a lull. We must broaden our tactics if we are to maintain popular support and reframe the narrative.' Check out our latest article from writer and community activist, Joe Attlee. Please like and share 🌿 www.gndmedia.co.uk/articles/sab...gndmedia.co.ukGreen New Deal Media 051
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 02/05/2025The government's proposal to cut a requirement for developers to consult on major infrastructure schemes before submitting an application is a “panicked misstep” that would be “disastrous for the natural world”, warns @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1916... 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 25/04/2025🚨 A planning barrister and a member of the House of Lords has been sanctioned by Russia, after calling for the government to seize Kremlin state assets in the UK to support the Ukrainian war effort www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1915... 001
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 25/04/2025Some more info on gov's new towns: - “Preferably 60,000 homes” in size - A “pledge” that 40% of homes will be social and affordable - Proposed locations kept under close wraps to avoid land values soaring and giving early warning to local opponents www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comInside Labour’s top-secret plan for new towns, I see signs of hope | Polly ToynbeeVision and patience are vital if past mistakes are to be avoided, but the rewards for the country could be immeasurable, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee 000
Reposted by Alex KingPoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 08/04/2025Planning deregulation carries serious political risks for Labour ✍️ @chrishinchliff.bsky.socialpoliticshome.comPlanning deregulation carries serious political risks for LabourThe origins of Britain’s planning system are as deeply rooted in the legacy of the great post-war Labour government as the National Health Service ... 0102
Reposted by Alex KingENDS Report @endsreport.com · 10/04/2025The Wildlife Trusts (@the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social) has put forward series of amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that it wants to see ministers take forward to ‘plug the gaps’ currently in the legislation. Here’s what you need to know ⬇️endsreport.comWildlife Trusts sets out amendments to ‘plug the gaps’ in Planning BillThe Wildlife Trusts has set out a series of amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that it wants to see ministers take forward to ‘plug the gaps’ currently in the legislation. Here’s what ... 001
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 10/04/2025🚨The planning minister Matthew Pennycook has flatly rejected Oldham Council's request to leave Places for Everyone, GM's joint spatial strategy Cllr Howard Sykes, leader of the council’s opposition Lib Dem group, dubbed decision “a betrayal of democracy” www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1913... 000
Reposted by Alex KingEugene Byrne @yooge.bsky.social · 29/03/2025Journalists in Victorian Bristol didn't do investigative reporting until James Crosby - "Gentleman James" - decided to have a go. thebristolcable.org/2025/03/how-...thebristolcable.orgHow a 19th century journalist shone on a light on poverty in BristolHomes of the Bristol Poor was one of the first pieces of investigative journalism revealed the poverty of much of the population 022
Reposted by Alex KingMehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · 03/04/2025“There is no such thing as an ‘illegal immigrant’” My myth-busting piece for The Guardian today arguing that it is factually inaccurate & totally, utterly wrong to say that undocumented people are ‘illegal’ & are automatically ‘criminals’. I bring receipts:theguardian.comThere is no such thing as an ‘illegal immigrant’ | Mehdi HasanIt is a factually inaccurate and totally, utterly wrong to say that undocumented people are ‘illegal’ and are ‘criminals’ 14875652036
Reposted by Alex KingJim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 03/04/2025Exclusive: The plan to make Sadiq Khan share power in London - by copying Andy Burnham and Greater Manchester. www.londoncentric.media/p/the-plan-t...londoncentric.mediaThe plan to make Sadiq Khan share power in LondonExclusive: London's councils want a "radical" change that could curtail the mayor's power — by following the lead of Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester. 112211
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 02/04/2025A former elected city mayor, a city council planning assistant director and an ex-planning officer and are among 12 people that have appeared in court to face bribery and public office misconduct charges Full story 👇 www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1912... 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 26/03/2025The OBR has predicted that the gov's changes to the National Planning Policy Framework will push housebuilding to its highest level for 40 years, but that the gov will ultimately miss its target to deliver 1.5m new homes this parliament by 200,000 homes www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1911... 000
Reposted by Alex KingLucy Burke @lucyburkemcr.bsky.social · 19/03/2025Just the sheer, obscene spectacle of a Government minister on £160K+ plus expenses and all the freebies, coming for the sub £10K per year that my son gets in PIP - being autistic & learning disabled in a deeply unequal, discriminatory & hostile society is not a “lifestyle choice” 17434
Reposted by Alex KingJennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 14/03/2025Andy Burnham sounding very confident here re getting upwards of £200m in the spending review for the Old Trafford regen project on.ft.com/41NBRBBon.ft.comAndy Burnham pushes for £200mn in government funding for Old Trafford regenerationMayor makes case for state support for development plans around Manchester United’s new stadium 12164
Reposted by Alex KingFairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 14/03/202517 freedom of expression and human rights organisations, including FairSquare, have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling for the UK to intensify efforts to secure British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s release. www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...englishpen.orgJoint appeal for Alaa Abd el-Fattah - English PEN 011
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 13/03/2025He has also promised that “no public money” will be spent on the new stadium He admits that public money “is more likely to be spent off-site” in “the early stages” on “adapting” a nearby rail freight terminal, but doesn't say how much 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 13/03/2025NEW Andy Burnham says the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has agreed “in principle” to a mayoral development corporation delivering the new Manchester United stadium and wider regeneration of Old Trafford, and that it has “the backing of government” www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1910... 100
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 27/02/2025NEW Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, has said she is “minded to approve” Gatwick airport expansion but has delayed a formal decision by nine months Gatwick’s plans include bringing its emergency runway into regular use and extending both terminals www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1908...planningresource.co.ukTransport secretary ‘minded to approve’ application for second Gatwick runway but delays decision by nine months 010
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 25/02/2025“The government doesn’t need to rip up the planning system to build 1.5 million new homes. Many of the blockers to housing and infrastructure delivery are not planning-related,” says @msingerhobbs.bsky.social 020
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 25/02/2025Developers have gained planning permission for over 1.4m homes since 2007 but left them unbuilt, @ippr.bsky.social research shows Recommendations include new laws to force them to build within a certain time frame of securing permission or face sanctions www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1906... 130
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 21/02/2025The site has been split into three sections for development - the office would be built on the western portion and the park in the middle section The council's currently looking for a developer to build on the remaining portion, according to PNW www.placenorthwest.co.uk/plans-in-for...placenorthwest.co.ukPlans in for new Manchester park - Place North WestDesigned by Planit, the city council’s proposed 2.25-acre park on the former Central Retail Park site in Ancoats would include terraced gardens, play areas, and a lawn. 000
Alex King @alexdpking.bsky.social · 21/02/2025🚨 Manchester City Council has approved plans for the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats: - A 3-hectare government office 'campus' that would house 7,000 civil servants - A 0.9-hectare park www.placenorthwest.co.uk/go-ahead-sec...placenorthwest.co.ukGo-ahead secured for Manchester Digital Campus - Place North WestThe Government Property Agency’s application for 900,000 sq ft of offices across two blocks at the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats has been greenlit, along with BTR homes in Burnage and the Moxy... 100