PUBLICATIONS

The following update provides you with the key news relating to local government reform (LGR) and devolution for the months of August and September.

The Government has launched the English Devolution and Community Engagement Bill (“the Bill”), which spans 338 pages. The Devolution Bill introduces three tiers of strategic authority, outlines mayoral powers, and restructures local government by eliminating two-tier structures. Additionally, it establishes a new community right to buy and, surprisingly, abolishes upward-only rent reviews. Here, we provide a summary of the key impacts that the Devolution Bill will have on pla

The 338-page English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was published on 10 July 2025, and is currently going through the parliamentary process. The Bill formalises much of the contents of the English Devolution White Paper, with some notable additions.

To facilitate national economic recovery, the Government has launched new legislation and policy1 designed to turbo-charge local economies. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (“The Bill”) is the centrepiece to achieving this.

Upward-only rent reviews, which mean rents can only rise at set review periods, remain a cornerstone of UK leasing and property valuations. While their prevalence has declined over the last two decades, notably in the retail sector and for smaller lettings, they remain common.

In a recent Local Government Lawyer article planning partner Chrisa Tsompani examines how the Government's planning reforms could reshape every lawyer of the sector.

Head of ESG, Chris Kerr, features in BE News covering covering the tale of two crises - Nature vs Housing.

Planning Partner, Nigel Hewitson, features in the latest edition of Estates Gazette covering the pending dispute involving Daisy May Cooper and listed building responsibilities.

Head of ESG, Chris Kerr covers the main reasons why the government mustn’t forget coastal areas in its Spring Statement in a BE News article.

oday, the UK Governments (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) released the UK’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2030 (NBSAP).

Since the new government came into power last July, one thing has become clear: how serious it is about its commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes in this parliamentary session. This government places the planning reform at the top of its agenda to deliver this ambitious housing target. On 12 December, the new National Planning Policy Framework (the ‘ 2024 NPPF’ ) became operative. This plan is a significant milestone in the planning reform journey and will substantially s