Newsletter Article

August 7, 2026

Local Plan Evidence Bases Strengthen Ahead of 2025 Examination Timetables

Local Plan teams are accelerating evidence‑base updates as authorities prepare for anticipated 2025 examination schedules. Housing need assessments, employment land reviews, and infrastructure capacity studies are being refreshed to align with evolving national policy and regional growth strategies.

Deliverability is becoming a core focus, with viability testing integrated earlier in the plan‑making process. Strategic planning teams are strengthening cross‑boundary collaboration on transport modelling, green infrastructure networks, and renewable energy allocations.

Recruitment demand remains high for Policy Officers and Senior Planners with strong analytical skills, GIS capability, and experience preparing examination‑ready documentation. Private consultancies are expanding plan‑making support teams as demand for evidence‑base preparation grows.

With several authorities targeting Regulation 19 publication in early 2025, the next six months will be critical — and policy teams are gearing up accordingly.

Recent Blogs

  • Advertising & Recruitment Update
    Digital Planning Skills Now a Key Differentiator in Planning Recruitment Digital Planning continues to reshape how authorities manage applications, consultations, and evidence gathering. Automated validation
  • Newsletter Article
    Design Codes Becoming Central to Decision‑Making and Pre‑App Discussions Design Codes are rapidly becoming a core part of planning decision‑making, influencing both pre‑application discussions and
  • Rolling Weekly Digest
    Strategic Planning Teams Advancing Evidence Base Work for Emerging Local Plans This week has seen significant movement across Strategic Planning teams as authorities push forward
  • Daily Planning Update
    Development Management Teams Managing Rising Application Volumes Development Management teams across the UK are reporting a noticeable uplift in minor and householder applications as summer
  • Advertising & Recruitment Update
    Planning Consultancies Compete for Talent as Major Applications Surge Private sector consultancies are reporting a strong pipeline of major applications, including regeneration schemes, logistics hubs,