We are part of the Local Government Association and run 14 projects funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and Natural England. You can see below our latest bulletin - you can sign up using the "keep in touch" item in the "about us" menu above.
PAS Bulletin - Latest news
We are into our new year of delivery, with the PAS team out and about and contacting councils to get them involved in our new programmes of work. This is the first year of a new three-year programme of support, and with so much happening in planning and local government, there is lots already underway and a lot to look forward to.
The PAS team are here to help, but we are not static; as well as recruiting, we move around within our programme to keep ourselves buzzing with creativity to support you. The PAS consultant for the programme you're interested in may have changed, but the level of support will remain the same. Please continue to use the networks and [email protected] to get in touch with us.
Anna Rose
Head of PAS
As part of our Protected Site Strategy (PSS) programme funded by Natural England, PAS have commissioned a good practice guide for protected sites.
This webinar will launch the guide, to be published in early May, and share key outputs. The guide sets out current local authority approaches to protecting designated sites from development-related impacts. It aims to support efficient and effective decision-making, helping Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to apply consistent approaches and make best use of resources. It also highlights good practice to enable LPAs to engage constructively and confidently with the emerging PSS framework.
This event will be relevant to all those working in and with local authorities on protected sites.
Join the PAS team to hear from colleagues at both MHCLG and DEFRA. This session provides a high-level overview of the Government's responses to the May 2025 consultations on improving BNG implementation for minor, medium, and brownfield development and BNG for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) alongside a consultation on a targeted BNG exemption for residential brownfield development.
Our joint webinar series with the Hydrogen Energy Association is now underway, looking at the planning implications of hydrogen development. These sessions offer a practical introduction for planners, with input from industry, government and planning practitioners. As hydrogen projects begin to come forward more frequently, this is a useful opportunity to build familiarity with the key issues.
If you missed the first session, there’s still time to join the remaining webinars which will look at different Hydrogen uses and technologies in more detail. Find out more and register through the PAS website
Alongside MHCLG, PAS hosted two sessions on 9 and 15 April, giving an overview of the consultation on planning committee reforms and an opportunity to ask questions. If you missed the session, or just want to recap, please visit the recording and presentation. The FAQs will follow shortly.
Following on from the introductory webinars, we will be hosting further online events, this time taking a deeper dive into the practical implications for local planning authorities, helping you prepare for implementation in September.
The webinars will be held on the dates below and registration is via Eventbrite:
PAS has been operating a Development Management Network for a number of months now and we are finding it is a great way to contact council officers who work in Development Management very quickly. We have discussion topics, advertise events and give people a chance to volunteer their expertise. There is a lot going on in the Development Management world at the moment including planning committee reforms, changes to planning application fees, NPPF development management policies and much more. If you want to join our network simply contact PAS at [email protected] and if you are an officer working in a council you will be added to our network.
If you are a local planning authority, statutory consultee or council hosting Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), and have not already signed up to the Pathways to Planning programme there is funding remaining to take a graduate for a September 2026 start. All graduates hired through the programme receive an educational bursary of £10,000 to help fund their part-time study alongside work. Local authorities recruiting planners with high housing delivery and local plan needs will be considered for salary bursaries of £40,000. Councils facing hiring freezes may be able to access greater financial support.
Then join the PAS back-office system crew! Switching systems isn’t easy and takes effort to get the procurement right, but many local authorities might soon need to combine or re-procure new systems as part of their LGR journey. We want to talk to some local authorities who need to switch their back-office system in the next 18-24months to make it fit for purpose for the new digital age. If that is you, then come and join our crew to pilot support on procurement, project and change management, effective comms and everything needed to switch systems.
New guidance from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, developed with support from Regen, has been published to help local planning authorities determine applications for low carbon energy infrastructure. With LPAs facing increasing volumes of complex proposals such as onshore wind, solar, battery storage and electricity networks, this new guidance is intended to provide some clear, practical advice to support decision-making. It includes summaries of key technologies, common planning considerations and links to further resources, alongside recent training delivered through the Net Zero Hubs.
We provide high-quality help, advice, support and training on planning and service delivery to councils. We help local government officers and councillors stay effective and up to date. We have a ‘sector-led' improvement approach, where local authorities help each other to continuously improve.
