BSc Planning and Real Estate / Course details

A core element of any professionally-accredited town planning degree course is to understand the nature and operation of the statutory land-use planning system, and the administrative and regulatory framework in which it operates. The main focus of this course unit is on the legal framework and processes within which the planning process operates. It therefore provides an introduction to the legal framework that structures and regulates decision-making concerning land-use and the environment. The intention is to give a general appreciation of the system and the legal principles on which it operates, and also to help develop an awareness of the inter-relationships between legal processes and planning practice, especially in the area of development control. This involves an understanding of the legal concepts, processes and techniques which have evolved and the ways these have been applied in this field. A significant part of the course therefore involves developing a practical understanding of the working of the development management and control process, as well as its overarching legal and administrative framework. The course unit will also provide an introduction to aspects of property law such as land ownership, buying and selling property and compulsory purchase.

1. To acquire an understanding of the English legal and administrative framework within which policies and decisions relating to land use are made and implemented;
2. In the context of planning and property law, to develop further an appreciation of the nature of legal processes and legal reasoning, and the methods by which law is created, is interpreted and evolves;
3. To examine the inter-relationship between legal processes and planning processes and to cultivate a critical attitude in respect of both processes.

An understanding of the operation of the UK planning system and the concepts and operations of English planning law.

An understanding of legal arguments and justification in planning law

An ability to generate simple planning law arguments

Developed further competence in report writing and oral presentational skills.

Written feedback on ‘mock’ planning inquiry evidence report; immediate verbal feedback via workshops / seminars throughout module; individual feedback on examination performance on request.

Cullingworth, B. and Nadin V. (2014) Town & Country Planning in the UK (15th Edition), Routledge, London.

Bowes, A. (2019) A Practical Approach to Planning Law (14th Edition) Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Galbraith, A. et al. (2011) Galbraith’s building and land management law for students. (6 Edition), Butterworth-Heinemann: Oxford.

  Sheppard, A., Peel, D., Ritchie, H. and Berry, S. (2017) The Essential Guide to Planning Law: Decision Making and Practice in the UK, Policy Press, Bristol.

Wood, D. et al. (2011) Law and the built environment. (2 Edition), Wiley-Blackwell: Chichester.

Department of Communities and Local Government (2012) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), DCLG, London.

Other relevant Government policy and legislation (e.g. Localism Act 2011; Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act, 2004, Money-laundering Regulations 2017);

Latest developments in UK planning system and processes, including web-based resources:

www.planningportal.gov.uk and www.communities.gov.uk