Engage from Delib: August 2026 - Planning

Despite August traditionally being regarded as a period of political inactivity – the “summer holiday season” in much of the world – August was marked by some significant political developments. From big policy changes under a new Prime Minister in the UK, to significant developments in the US that could have ramifications around the world, August was anything but quiet. In this issue of Engage, we’re taking a closer look at planning.

Customer insights and inspiration:

Below are just a few examples of how customers are using Citizen Space to consult citizens on everything from national planning policy to Local Plans.

New Zealand: A new direction for Planning

In New Zealand, the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport (MCERT) has opened a consultation on an Illustrative National Policy Direction (NPD). This will form a key part of New Zealand’s proposed new planning system.

The consultation will look at how this new national direction could work in practice. The illustrative NPD sets out how national priorities could influence future planning decisions and is organised around five themes: housing and development, infrastructure, primary production, resources, and public values.

Until October, MCERT is seeking feedback on whether the structure is easy enough for ordinary residents to understand, whether it provides a useful picture of how the new system could operate, and whether there are any gaps that need to be addressed before wider roll-out.

A more flexible system for development in England

In England, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is considering changes to permitted development rights, which allow certain types of development to take place without requiring planning permission. In June, they opened a consultation on a series of proposed changes to these rights.

The consultation covered a wide range of changes, including those affecting Assets of Community Value, which have become a focus for MHCLG following new Community Right to Buy legislation. The consultation generally focused on giving greater flexibility for certain types of development while supporting both community interests and environmental protection.

The consultation closed in August. The input will help MHCLG shape policy and any subsequent changes to permitted development rights.

Health and Wellbeing in Birmingham

In August, Birmingham City Council opened a consultation on its draft Healthy Placemaking Toolkit. The toolkit is intended to help ensure that health and wellbeing are considered when new developments are planned, and supports the council’s emerging approach to creating healthier neighbourhoods.

The toolkit covers a variety of issues where health and planning interact, including access to employment, healthcare, open spaces, air quality, child-friendly design and crime. The toolkit emphasises the importance of undertaking assessments early in the planning process, allowing findings to inform the development of proposals before final plans are prepared. The wide-ranging consultation is open to all residents until October.

Liverpool’s Local Plan

Liverpool City Council has opened a consultation on its new Local Plan, which sets out a long-term vision for how the city will grow and develop through to 2043. The plan will guide where new homes and transport, shops and community facilities are located, while also setting policies to protect Liverpool’s heritage, green spaces and neighbourhoods.

The consultation is the final formal opportunity for people to comment before the plan is submitted for independent examination. Consultation is an important and legally required part of the Local Plan process in England, giving residents and stakeholders the opportunity to influence and challenge the plan before it is examined by a planning inspector. The consultation opened in August and will close in September.

Industry and legislative news:

Important industry news from August, including a controversial consultation and major changes to planning law in the UK.

Trump’s vaccine consultation controversy

In August, US President Donald Trump announced a public consultation on how vaccines should be categorised and recommended in the US, with the administration seeking views on whether new categories should be introduced.

The consultation has raised significant concerns among public health experts, who warn that changing the categories could create confusion over which vaccines are recommended and who can access them. Experts have also questioned why the process is being led by the Department of Health and Human Services and a taskforce established by HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, rather than the CDC and its expert advisory committee.

The consultation follows wider moves by the Trump administration to change federal vaccine recommendations, and a number of inaccurate and misleading comments by Trump on the possible health ramifications of common childhood vaccines.

Big changes in planning: NPPF and Mayors

In August, England’s delayed National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was released, bringing a number of changes to the planning sector. The new Framework places greater emphasis on early and ongoing engagement, encouraging councils and developers to involve communities and stakeholders throughout the planning process. It also places greater emphasis on the quality and use of evidence, including community feedback, and on demonstrating how engagement has influenced development.

The government also announced plans to give mayors in England greater planning powers, giving combined authorities more control over strategic planning and housing. Together, these represent what is probably the biggest change to planning practices since 2010.

An AI economic downturn

This month also saw more mixed forecasting on the future of AI, with Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey warning that AI could pose significant risks to the global financial system. In his role as chair of the Financial Stability Board, Bailey warned that increasingly capable AI could increase cyber risks and potentially trigger wider financial instability.

His comments come alongside growing concerns from AI researchers and technology experts about the pace of development and the ability to control increasingly autonomous systems. Bailey called for greater international cooperation to ensure AI is developed and deployed safely, while also warning that high financial market valuations driven by optimism around AI could amplify the impact of a future economic shock.

Events coming up:

Engagement Institute Annual Conference - 28-29 October 2026 - Brisbane, Australia The Engagement Institute Annual Conference is a leading Australasia event for community and stakeholder engagement professionals. The conference explores emerging challenges and opportunities in engagement and communications, with practical insights, expert speakers, networking and the Engagement Excellence Awards. Register here.

Global Government Data Summit 2026 – 14 October 2026 – London, UK

The Global Government Data Summit brings together civil servants, data leaders and policymakers to explore how governments can use data and AI to improve policymaking and public service delivery. Sessions cover AI governance, data sharing, digital capability and using data as a strategic public asset. Register here.

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