The Local Government Association published an updated “Probity in planning” guidance on 19 December 2019. You may recall that the previous guidance was published in 2013 and, according to many, was long overdue following recent changes to the planning system. The 2019 guidance has been written for officers and councillors involved in making planning decisions in their local authority and considers the role of the planning system in line with the National Planning Policy Framework 2019, complaints and record keeping. A flowchart of councillors’ interests and how these may impact on a planning application and decision is again included within this 2019 guidance.

The guidance is certainly very useful and definitely worth a read if you are involved in the planning process.