02 October 2026 / Joel Semakula , David Poole

Issue: 8179 / Categories: Features , Planning , Local authority

Lessons from Uttlesford

Thaxted, Uttlesford

Section 62A: Joel Semakula & David Poole track the pros & cons of taking this alternative route to securing planning permission

In June 2026, nine more authorities were designated under the s 62A, Town and Country Planning Act 1990 regime.
Uttlesford District Council’s three-year s 62A designation is the clearest practical test yet of the regime, including the first quashed s 62A decision on judicial review.

Section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990) provides applicants with an alternative route for securing planning permission where a local planning authority (LPA) has been designated by the secretary of state for poor performance.

Although s 62A has existed for more than a decade, relatively few authorities have experienced designation for the quality of decision-making. Uttlesford District Council’s (UDC’s) designation between 2022 and 2025 provides one of the clearest examples of how the regime operates in practice, and its lessons are now more relevant than ever.

In the current round of designations, applicants proposing major development within

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Lessons from Uttlesford

Issue: 8179 / Categories: Features , Planning , Local authority

Thaxted, Uttlesford

Section 62A: Joel Semakula & David Poole track the pros & cons of taking this alternative route to securing planning permission

In June 2026, nine more authorities were designated under the s 62A, Town and Country Planning Act 1990 regime.
Uttlesford District Council’s three-year s 62A designation is the clearest practical test yet of the regime, including the first quashed s 62A decision on judicial review.

In the current round of designations, applicants proposing

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content

If you are already a subscriber sign in

...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

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Lessons from Uttlesford

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