Many of the PAS team are enjoying a well deserved break from planning reform. The skeleton crew are keeping the show on the road and working on various bits and pieces through September and October.

A couple of people have got in touch, asking why we're so quiet. It's true - our events calendar does not have much in it. The truth is we are waiting for a big package of announcements. Strategic geographies, new-style local plans, national DM policies, new roles for planning committees and more besides. Soon it's going to be frenetic, and hopefully in the roll-out we'll even get to see some of you face-to-face.

For now we prepare as best we can, building useful networks, updating our guides and gathering evidence where we think it will help. We are keeping calm and carrying on.

Richard Crawley, PAS

Local Plans– get prepared

We know the full details of the new plan-making system aren’t finalised yet, and that creates uncertainty for local authorities. But uncertainty doesn’t have to mean waiting around. The tighter 30-month timetable leaves no room for mistakes, meaning we need to think creatively and adapt quickly. At PAS, we've created a suite of new resources, some guidance and tools to help councils. You should check out our new local plan PID to help organise your thoughts. To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail, as someone famous once said.

Local planning fees – a survey

On 7 August 2025 PAS sent out our National Planning Fees Survey out to all chief planners / heads of planning. The aim of the survey is to better understand how planning fees align with the real costs of delivering services. Improving cost recovery is vital to resourcing effective planning services. It is critical that all local planning authorities (LPAs) take part – your experience and judgment are essential to getting this right. The survey closes on 12 September. More information on local fees on our site

For planning portfolio holders and committee chairs

We are running a series of LGA Leadership Essentials Councillor Training. These are two-day residential courses delivered in person at Warwick Conference. These are very popular and the cost for this sessions is heavily subsidised to only £100. If your members want to attend then please get them to email grace.collins@local.gov.uk

Planning committee chairs

8 - 9 November 2025 or 20 - 21 November 2025

This year the training is being targeted in particular at members who have been recently appointed as planning committee chairs and vice chairs, or have come back to the role after a break

Planning leadership essentials: Leading the local plan

23 - 24 October 2025 or 22 - 23 November 2025

For leaders and portfolio holders only, for local authorities making a plan under the current plan system and aiming to submit their plan to government by December 2026.

Planning for heat

Nesta are hosting a webinar for planning officers on air source heat pumps on 2 October: Planning for heat: what planning teams need to know about air source heat pumps. The webinar will focus on how planning and environmental health officers can proactively support the transition to low-carbon heating by educating them on the technology and addressing common questions.

So, you’ve got an NSIP coming your way?

PAS will be hosting two introductory events on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) for local authorities in early October. Whether you're a planning officer, planning committee member or local ward councillor, this is an opportunity to learn more about the NSIP planning regime and your role within it.

With presentations from experienced local practitioners and professionals, these sessions will cover the essentials - how NSIPs differ from local planning applications, what this means for local authorities and how to prepare so that you can ensure your area maximises the potential benefits.

There will also be time for questions to our expert panel, helping you understand your role and connect with sources of further information and support.

• Event for local authority planners and officers - Tuesday 7 October, 10.00am - 12.00pm
• Event for councillors: Friday 10 October, 10.00am - 12.00pm

Consulting Natural England on air pollution

Natural England is developing new standing advice on air pollution. This webinar will set out the scope of the advice and will help LPAs and developers to use it effectively. It will be useful both for DM and local plan consultations.

Sign up for the one hour webinar  - 20 October, 3pm - 4pm

Are you a supplier or do you know someone who is?

Much of our support is delivered through a small number of trusted and expert suppliers. It's time for these contracts to be reprocured to reflect our changing needs and to ensure we receive the best value for money.

We are procuring support for both ends of the plan-making journey. The early stages require project management of the plan. As plans reach the end people need support ensuring the plan is publication ready and to prepare for the examination.

We are also looking to repeat the GIS training we did before, but this time with a stronger emphasis on data management. All contracts are valued between £100-200k and are suitable for SMEs.

Archaeology and Solar

A new guide is being developed to promote good practice and consistency in how archaeological work is handled on large-scale solar projects.

Led by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists the guide is a cross-sector effort to set out shared principles and practical guidance for planners, developers and consultants.

The consultation draft is now available and CIfA are keen to gather planning perspectives by the deadline of 15 September.

If you are working on a solar application or interested in the wider issues don't forget the series of workshops PAS hosted with SEUK last year

From the Knowledge Hub

• Planning and flying the flag
• Council schemes making contributions to itself
• Parishes spending CIL on neighbourhood plans