News

Planning Reform - Again!
21.05.2010
The Conservative/Liberal Democrat Government has announced its plans for the reform of the planning system (20/05/2010).

As part of a 'Programme for Government', the announcement confirms that much of the reform will be based upon the Conservative's Green Paper 'Open Source Planning', published in February.

The proposed reforms includes broad proposals to introduce longer term "radical" reform of the planning system to "give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live"; specifically to:

- Abolish Regional Spatial Strategies;
- Abolish the IPC;
- Introduce a "simple and consolidated planning framework covering all forms of development and setting out economic, environmental and social priorities";
- Replace LDFs with a 'bottom-up' style Local Plan;
- Introduce a presumption in favour of sustainable development;
- Reform the appeal system;
- Introduce a local tariff in lieu of S.106 obligations and CIL;
- Reintroduce the 'needs test' for retail development;
- Amend the Use Classes Order and extend permitted development rights.

In addition, the Government has announced that the restructuring of Councils in Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon will be stopped.

Comment:
The coalition Government's 'Big Society' programme is intended to reduce regulation and to shift the emphasis of planning decision making: bottom-up instead of top-down. However, too much change in emphasis (e.g. the introduction of a third party right of appeal or relying upon local decision making to deliver much needed housing and employment) runs the risk of slowing down and stifling such development at a time when it is needed most. Further details are awaited with interest.

For more information and advice, please contact Alan Presslee of Cornerstone on 01603 510850 or 07702174892.