Alongside the HCA, Communities and Local Government fund a wider offer of support to local authorities.

Planning Advisory Service (PAS)

PAS offers a range of services to help planning authorities and their partners make good plans and deliver good development. PAS is part of the Improvement and Development Agency for local government and a member of the Local Government Association group. PAS is funded directly by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

• PAS supports local government and its partners to:
• Build confidence in and understanding of the planning system through events, materials and case studies
• Respond and adapt to change by providing tailored planning tools, support and training for officers and councillors
• Integrate spatial planning into strategies and investment programmes by focusing beyond planning departments and planners
• Deliver timely and useful spatial plans by promoting good practice and innovation Continuously improve the effectiveness, responsiveness and efficiency of the planning function through support and onsite advice

Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS)

Providing free independent advisory support to local planning authorities and partners who are faced with large scale, complex planning projects.

The team provides advice and hands-on support across a broad range of issues from project management to dealing with specific technical issues. ATLAS support enables the individuals involved to work through and resolve complex issues, improving both the quality of the process followed and the outcomes achieved. It is made up of staff with extensive planning experience, including specialists in engineering, sustainability, urban design and social infrastructure.

ATLAS helps to secure the timely delivery of high quality sustainable development through effective planning processes, collaborative working and the promotion of good practice.

HCA Skills and Knowledge (formerly Academy for Sustainable Communities)

Set up following the Egan Review to transform place-making skills and knowledge. Now the skills team of the Homes & Communities Agency. We provide:

• Skills support to public-private partnerships in HCA’s priority places
• Carbon management and cohesion programmes
• Planning for non-planners for councils
• Recession workshops
• Best practice, accessed through knowledge hub
• Support to improve leadership of places

Supports local public-private partnerships to deliver housing and regeneration programmes by providing access to practical training and resources

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)

CABE provides independent advice and scrutiny on well designed buildings, places and spaces.

CABE provide guidance, advice and direct support to local authorities across England on design quality:

• Design review
• Local development frameworks
• Spatial strategies / strategic urban design frameworks
• Green space / public realm strategies
• Masterplans
• Public buildings
• Design and development procurement and delivery
• Environmental sustainability
• Design standards incl. Building for Life
• Advice and guidance on delivering design quality through planning policy, applications and delivery.