Introduction: Anna Rose (Head of PAS)

Although there is still much to come from the planning reform agenda, it feels as though we have now moved firmly into the implementation phase. Over the past few months, we've been working with councils, councillors and planning professionals to help make sense of the changes and prepare for what comes next.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Local Plan events in London, Manchester and Birmingham. It was encouraging to see so many people sharing experiences and discussing the practical challenges and opportunities ahead. We've also recently delivered our Introduction to Planning sessions for councillors, providing a timely opportunity to reflect on the purpose of planning, the role of elected members and the changing policy landscape.

This edition highlights a range of new resources, guidance and opportunities to support you, from our cost recovery toolkit and NSIP guidance to work on strategic sites, nutrient mitigation and digital planning. We're also seeking your input to help shape future PAS tools and programmes, alongside opportunities to connect through our events, networks, mentoring programme and leadership development offer.

As always, thank you for your continued engagement with PAS. We look forward to working with you over the months ahead. Please keep your eye on our website or drop us a message at pas@local.gov.uk

Welcome to our new PAS team members!

We’re delighted to welcome Joshua Doyle, Paul Barnard and Hannah Mitchell as Principal Consultants to the PAS team. 

Joshua joins us from Urban Intelligence and brings experience across the public and private sectors, with expertise in urban design, digital planning and programme delivery.

Hannah joins us from Stockport MBC and was named RTPI Young Planner of the Year (North West) in 2025. She brings public and private sector experience, with strengths in planning policy, design and leadership.

Paul joins PAS after a distinguished career at Plymouth City Council, bringing director-level experience in service delivery, transformation and leading place-based services.

Together, they add a wealth of expertise and fresh perspectives to the PAS team, and we’re delighted to have them on board.

Planning Committee chairs and Local Plan leaders: councillor training

10/11 October 2026; and 19/20 January 2027, Warwick University

There are a few places available on our Leadership Essentials for councillors sessions in October and January. We’re hosting two sessions for Committee Chairs and for local plan leaders/portfolio holders preparing local plans. 

There has been lots of change around plan making and planning committee processes recently, and these two-day courses will focus on changes in the planning process and the specific skills of these key roles. There is a cost to access the session, but we are heavily subsidising this. 

To find out more visit our events page or to book a place, please email grace.collins@local.gov.uk. Places are limited; book as soon as possible.

Programme officer training: Local Plan examination

30 June 2026, York and 6 October 2026, London

There is a known shortage of Programme Officers available for Local Plan examinations and very high demand expected in 2026-27. To address this, the Planning Inspectorate provides Programme Officer Training Notes and runs regular free one day training courses for new and experienced programme officers.

Further courses are expected later in the year, but spaces are limited so  booking is recommended. For advice on this and how to find  a programme officer, please email plans.admin@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.

If you are interested in training as a Programme Officer, you can find out more about the importance of the role by listening to our recent 'In Conversation with Anna Rose' webinar on the Programme Officer (PO) role.

Become a mentor: support future leaders: registration deadline is 10 July 2026

Last year’s coaching and mentoring support made a real impact, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from mentees. We are now inviting senior leaders to take part in this year's programme. This is a valuable opportunity to share your experience, support emerging leaders, and further develop your own skills. Interested?

Please complete the Coaching and mentoring support registration form by Friday 10 July 2026.

Share your insights on the PAS Strategic Sites toolkit

David Lock Associates is reviewing and updating our toolkit for supporting the effective delivery of strategic sites. 

To inform the review, we've created a short engagement questionnaire for authorities to give us their views and experience. The form takes a few minutes to complete and will be invaluable in helping to shape and update the guidance for authorities and their partners.

We will also be holding an in-person workshop in September to help steer the review of the Strategic Sites toolkit. You can request a place at this workshop through the questionnaire.

Councillors: PAS Introduction to Planning sessions - recordings available

PAS recently hosted a couple of online Introduction to Planning for councillors sessions and the recordings and presentations are now available. The sessions provide an overview of the planning process in 2026, the different roles of councillors and an update on the most recent changes.

Cost Recovery Regulations now in force: PAS guidance and toolkit for NSIP host authorities

The Infrastructure Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 came into force on 8 June. The Regulations enable host local authorities involved in Nationally Strategic Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) to recover the costs of providing relevant services to project promoters. PAS has published a Cost Recovery guidance and toolkit to give host authorities the tools to develop a proportionate, transparent and evidence-based approach to cost recovery.

Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund learning

Ecological Planning and Research (EPR) has prepared a Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund learning report for PAS. The report provides a summary of themes that have arisen from the experience of local authorities implementing nutrient mitigation to date with a focus on three catchment case studies. It is useful to others implementing similar approaches, including forthcoming Environmental Delivery Plans.

Planning Inspectorate procedural guide for new Local Plan system

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has published a procedural guide for the new Local Plan system. It sets out the procedures for the main PINS roles within the new system:

• Gateway assessors – the Inspectors that will carry out gateway assessments 2 and 3 for LPAs as they prepare their local plan prior to submission and examination
• Inspectors – these Inspectors carry out the examination of the local plan to determine its soundness.

PINS is hosting a webinar and live Q&A session on Monday 6 July 2026, 12.30pm-2.00pm. This will cover the practical operation of the new system and include a walk-through of the new guide. More information and a link to booking is available at Planning Inspectorate webinars - GOV.UK

AI extract tool launched

Local planning authorities can now use ‘Extract’, an AI tool created by MHCLG, to turn council planning documents into high-quality, standardised digital data, all for free! Officers can use it make digital records more quickly and publish more information about local constraints. 

You can access and try out 'Extract'.