Planning for individuals

Planning law update—July 2025

Alex Ground, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, real estate, planning and construction team.
Alex Ground
1 min Read

Welcome to the second edition of Russell-Cooke’s planning law update of 2025.

In this edition, our planning specialists examine key developments shaping the sector.

Our latest insights cover the implications of pre-commencement conditions and the evolving role of grey belt land under the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). We explore the practical impact of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), assess the Planning and Infrastructure Bill’s proposed reforms, and clarify how changes of use can become lawful through long-term occupation and permitted development rights. We also analyse recent shifts in environmental mitigation policy and highlight the enforcement risks developers should be aware of.

Team update

We welcome Joanna Crow as a legal director in our planning team.

She joins us from DAC Beachcroft and brings with her a wealth of experience advising on the full spectrum of development work, including residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes, as well as consortium and strategic land projects.

Joanna acts for a broad range of clients including major housebuilders, landowners, local authorities and commercial operators.

Get in touch

If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our real estate planning and construction solicitors; Holborn office (Email Holborn) +44 (0)20 3826 7523; Kingston office (Email Kingston) +44 (0)20 3826 7518; Putney office (Email Putney) +44 (0)20 3826 7518 or complete our form.

E-Updates Real Estate, planning and construction Planning law Planning for businesses Planning for individuals pre-commencement conditions housebuilder developer Planning Enforcement Warning Notice (EWN) biodiversity net gain Local Planning Authority (LPA) landowner Planning and Infrastructure Bill the grey belt the green belt National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) housing need environmental conservation The Nature Restoration Fund change of use planning permision