A copy of the delegate notes from No5 Chambers' Annual Planning Seminar 2012, held on 19th March at Birmingham's International Convention Centre. 

Ian Dove QC and Gordon Wignall's seminar paper from the Annual Planning Seminar 2012. 

The entirety of Part 4 of the Localism Act is devoted to non-domestic rating but the changes introduced seem to have a much lower profile than some of the other “Localism” provisions. Whilst there are some small but important changes, the rating reforms introduced could by no means be described as radical. Importantly, contrary to what some may have expected, the Act does not include any provisions designed to defeat the now well known schemes that are being used to avoid liability for the 100% unoccupied property rate. It is nevertheless necessary for local authorities, ratepayers and advisers to be aware of the changes that have been made. So, what does the Act do?

by Jenny Wigley 

Onshore wind, and energy infrastructure generally, is a form of development which gives rise to strongly held views, on all sides. Resolving the competing environmental and policy issues is difficult enough, but this form of development also has a propensity to attract legal challenge. (...please click the link below to read more)

by Richard Kimblin 

Government policy, over succeeding years, has been moving in a more permissive direction. The present extant national policy is found in PPS 1, Planning and Climate Change: Supplement to PPS 1, PPS 22 and Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide to PPS22. Further, under the coalition government a fresh suite of policies extolling the benefits of wind farm development in appropriate locations. This includes "The Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development", EN-1, EN-3 and the Renewable Energy Roadmap. (...Click Download to read more)

by Jack Smyth