PLANNING CIRCULARS

WHAT IS A PLANNING CIRCULAR?

Planning circulars are documents that provide detailed non-statutory advice and guidance on planning topics which expand on more general provisions set out in legislation or the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

They are published by government in Westminster and circulated to government departments, local authorities, and other stakeholder bodies across England. English planning Circulars do not apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland as they have their own devolved planning systems.

Advice set out in Circulars should be accounted for in the preparation of development plans and can be material considerations in the determination of planning applications.

Since the introduction of the online national Planning Practice Guidance in March 2014, use of circulars has diminished and practically become redundant. Instead, such advice is posted to the online resource site.

No new planning circulars have been issued since 2015, but some provisions set out in earlier Circulars remain in place.

Planning Circulars with elements that are still extant are available for download via the Gov.uk website: Planning Circulars

Planning Circulars
Planning Circulars with provisions that remain extant / live (as at November 2020)
2015	Arrangements for Handling Heritage Applications Direction 2015 – advice transposed into PPG
2015	The Conservation Areas (application of section 74 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990) Direction 2015
2014	The Town and Country Planning (Demolition – Description of Buildings) Direction 2014
02/2009	The Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009 Paragraphs 1-7 were cancelled – see PPG. The Direction – The Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009 is retained.
06/2005	Biodiversity and Geological Conservation – Statutory Obligations and Their Impact Within the Planning System
11/1995	The Use of Conditions in Planning Permissions (Appx A: Model Conditions is retained -the rest of the document is cancelled)