Ten of the biggest stories from the past week, including news that housing and planning minister Esther McVey has said that "greenfield land" should be developed only in "the most exceptional circumstances".

McVey made the comments at a conference in Wales. They prompted concern from the sector over a possible government policy shift making it harder for homes to be built on greenfield sites. The government later stated that the minister’s comments did not represent a shift in planning policy.

A crown court has overturned a ruling ordering a homeowner to tear down his shed because he followed a council planning officer's advice that fitting wheels to the structure would mean it was no longer subject to enforcement rules. More.

The Court of Appeal has confirmed a High Court ruling that a 330-home scheme, submitted by land promoter Gladman for countryside in Kent, was rightly refused at appeal in light of the UK's failure to meet the requirements of EU air quality standards. More.

New government technical guidance has highlighted the need for householders to consult neighbours when seeking permission for home extensions under permitted development (PD) rights. More.

Leeds City Council has been reprimanded by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSO) for failing in its consideration of a planning application for householder development to "properly assess" the potential impact of the works on a neighbouring property and has been asked to make a payment to the complainant. More.

Inspectors have reiterated their advice that the West of England strategic plan should be withdrawn from examination and said the councils concerned need to "reconsider many fundamental elements" in preparing a new version of the document. More.

A planning inspector has recommended that two controversial site allocations belonging to the Car Giant dealership be removed from the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation's (OPDC's) emerging local plan and advised that the document's housing targets will consequently need to be "revised downwards". More.

A 59,500 square metre 'mega-prison' has been approved in the Yorkshire countryside after officers advised that the application was a departure from the local plan but would provide 'substantial' employment benefits. More.

Source: Planning Resource