The PAS team has been working with councils across the country to explore the NPPF and wider planning reform through a programme of in-person and online events. Thank you to everyone who joined us in person. Being in the room with peers, the MHCLG planning team, and our PAS leads really does make a difference.

We’re also pleased that thousands have taken part online or caught up via recordings on our website, enabling many more to engage with the consultation. PAS is funded to support councils, and while our events are in strong demand beyond local government, we prioritise safe discussion spaces for councils. That’s why presentation recordings are shared publicly, but attendance at live sessions is sometimes limited.

There is so much happening at the moment that it really is a case of watching this space to make sure you don't miss anything important.

Anna Rose
Head of PAS

New guidance and tools to strengthen Infrastructure Delivery Plans (IDPs)

We have published new guidance and practical tools to help councils create more strategic and up-to-date Infrastructure Delivery Plans (IDPs). With a focus on data, digital working, and stronger engagement with infrastructure providers, the resources support confident, transparent decisions and align infrastructure planning with Local Plan delivery and funding strategies like CIL. Explore the guidance and tools

We will be hosting an online presentation of the new materials on 23 February at 10.30am. Please book your place

New enforcement training for planning committees

We’ve developed new planning enforcement training materials to support planners in briefing planning committee and other elected members. These resources are designed to help members understand the role of enforcement, how decisions are made, and what can (and cannot) be influenced. A comprehensive slide pack is available to download and adapt to local circumstances. Find out more and access the materials on the PAS website

New webpage on the Nature Restoration Fund and Environmental Delivery Plans

We have created a new webpage on Environmental Delivery Plans and the Nature Restoration Fund. This includes a summary of what we know about this new approach, and as more information becomes available, we will publish it on our web pages

DESNZ-supported clean energy planning training for LPAs

Local planning authorities are seeing a growing number of complex applications for solar, battery storage, onshore wind and electricity network infrastructure. To support LPA officers working in this area, Regen, supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is launching some new guidance and running a series of online training workshops. The sessions will be delivered through Local Net Zero Hubs, and local authority planners can register directly through the Regen website, with the supporting guidance due to be published ahead of the sessions.

UDL Spring Urban Design School 23-25 March

Urban Design Learning is running a three-day, in-person Urban Design Spring School in London, 23-25 March, for local authority officers to improve their place-making skills.
It is an ideal opportunity for built environment practitioners to understand the key qualities of place design, gaining the skills, knowledge and confidence to assess, discuss and negotiate good place design and why it is important. It will include lectures, exercises, quizzes, discussions and site visits, and will reflect the latest national policies and guidance on design.

Please contact info@urbandesignlearning.com for prices and to book

Regional Place Networks Design PPG Events

To support the consultation of the Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance that was released last week, we are running three online sessions with MHCLG colleagues to discuss the updated guidance.

These sessions are being run through the regional Design and Place networks and are suggesting authorities attend their region's allocated session if possible.

• 5 February, 10am to 12pm - Yorkshire &Humber, West Midlands and East Midlands
• 9 February 10am to 12pm - London, South East & East of England
• 11 February 10am to 12pm - South West, North East, North West
  

Initial outputs from NPPF events

Following the release of the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), we are hosting a series of online and virtual events to discuss what the changes mean for local authorities.

Access to the recordings of our webinars will be made available on our website

Tickets are still available for our remaining online NPPF webinars and can be accessed via our Eventbrite page

Pathways to Planning Applications – Deadline approaching 5th February

Local planning authorities, statutory consultees and councils hosting NSIPs can now apply to hire a graduate planner or surveyor through the Pathways to Planning programme, starting work in September 2026. The programme selects high achieving candidates from a pool of thousands to create interview shortlists for employers at no cost. All graduates hired through the programme receive an educational bursary (of £10,000) to help fund their part-time study alongside work. Local authorities with high housing delivery and local plan needs will be considered for salary bursaries (of £40,000) when requesting a graduate planner.

The programme’s application form contains all next steps, with salary bursary applications being reviewed on a rolling basis from with over £1m of funding has already been allocated in funding to councils. Act now to secure this offer for your planning team: Pathways to Planning: information for employers

Nature Network - new drop in sessions

Nature Network for LPAs. Starting from Thursday, 5 February 1-2 pm, we'll be hosting a monthly drop-in session for officers to network and discuss local authority nature related topics not covered by our other Basecamps, like BNG or nutrients. Details and the joining link will be posted in the NN4LPAs Basecamp.

If you are not already a member, drop us a line at Pas@local.gov.uk, and we'll add you in.

Working with National Highways to deliver a Vision-led approach to Local Plans

National Highways is keen to support you to take a vision-led approach to transport in your Local Plans (as required in the consultation NPPF) through proactive support, advice and a local plan brochure. See the statement and document links below.

National Highways manages England’s Strategic Road Network (SRN), and is a statutory consultee, recognising the vital role our roads play in supporting new homes and developments, economic growth and connecting communities.

We aim to be a proactive partner, helping shape plans that enable sustainable development while keeping the Strategic Road Network safe, reliable and resilient.

To help planning authorities take a vision led approach to plan making, we’ve published a new Local Plan brochure bringing together our key policies and priorities, along with useful resources - including the Planning for the Future guide and a short explainer video on working with us. Early engagement with National Highways can help you strengthen transport evidence, identify potential impacts on the SRN sooner, and gives access to shared data and expertise. Our regional spatial planning teams are ready to support you throughout the process. See your regional contact list

Good Practice Tips for Strategic and Local Planning Authorities working together

PAS has held six workshops between strategic and local planning authorities (at different stages of formation). We aimed to identify key lessons learnt to support effective cross authority working and SDS and Local Plan interaction. The results are good practice top tips under key themes, including:

• Governance, Leadership and Strategic Working
• SDS and Local Plan Interaction
• SDS readiness at a time of significant uncertainty.

We've published these on our website. They should be considered alongside our complementary SDS readiness top tips and PAS SDS good practice tips for effective working between Strategic and Local Planning Authorities. A big thank you to all of the workshop participants!

Planning Leadership Essentials: Leading New System Local Plans

There are still a few places on our 2025/26 Leadership Essentials Planning offer for councillors. We will be running one two-day event for council leaders, portfolio holders and local plan leads at Warwick Conferences, Coventry CV4 7SH. The 2-day residential event (Tuesday, 10 March – Wednesday, 11 March 2026) will be £100 per place.

For more details and to sign up to the leading new system local plans visit the PAS website or contact grace.collins@local.gov.uk to book a place.

Please note: These sessions are only for local authorities planning under the new local plan system.

Planning Leadership essentials: Chairs of Planning Committee

Our planning committee chairs and vice chairs leadership essentials events have proved so popular that we are going to hold another one.

There are still a few places on our extra 2-day residential event on Tuesday, 10th March to Wednesday, 11th March 2026 (£100 per place). All chairs and vice chairs are welcome, and the event will focus particularly on the proposed reforms to planning committees.

For more details and to sign up to the chairs of planning committee event visit the PAS website contact grace.collins@local.gov.uk to book a place.