Postgraduate

LAW8147 : Introduction to Planning law

Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0

Aims

This course will introduce students to the law of town and country planning, and to its use as a tool of environmental management. The course will consider the mechanisms used in planning law to structure development and provide forward-looking strategies for environmental protection, including the use of planning conditions, planning agreements and planning gain. It will consider the law on development control, and the impact of environmental management techniques (such as EIA) and human rights legislation on the practice and law of planning. The course will look at judicial interpretation of the provisions for development control, and the role of the courts in controlling public bodies in the exercise of their planning powers.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Development plans and development control; the purposes of planning.

2. The law of development control; "development" defined; the need for planning permission.

3. Tools for environmental protection in planning – planning conditions, planning agreements and planning gain.

4. Human Rights and the Environment.

5. Access to Justice and the right of appeal.

5. An assessment of the effectiveness and role of planning law in environmental protection.

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching51:005:00Online Seminars to discuss and develop understanding of the main topics.
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities12:002:00Students to read case and answer questions.
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion61:006:00Materials introducing and structuring the main topics with non-synchronous commentary
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery11:001:00To assist students with consolidation of the topics, preparation for the seminars and assessments
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study761:0076:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study81:008:00Completion of tasks linked to non-synchronous teaching
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk21:002:001. Introduction to the Module 2. Feed-forward/assessment preparation
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are used to introduce student to the key concepts in development planning and development control. Lectures will also provide a forum for student to discuss issues in greater depth and to develop subject specific and generic skills.

Assessment Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay2M1002000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

-       Tests students ability to deal with complex legal concepts and their understanding of the role of planning law in implementing environmental protection.
-       Tests students understanding of the problems of implementing EU environmental law, using planning law as a paradigm example of environmental management.

Reading Lists

Timetable