Reacting to the publication yesterday of the Government’s Planning White Paper, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation Stewart Baseley has called on the Government to ensure that its final, detailed proposals for reform maintain a clear focus on increasing the efficiency and speed of the planning system:
”There is universal recognition that the planning system must change to meet the needs of a modern Britain. The framework which was put in place by the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act has lasted well, but without reform it is in danger of constraining efforts to build the homes which are so desperately needed.
“The measures put forward in the Planning White Paper should be viewed in the light of their contribution towards making more land available for new housing, and the Government will need to be rigorous in ensuring that the detailed implementation of change in the planning system concentrates first and foremost on desirable outcomes.
”We would like to see a bigger focus on achieving positive outputs from planning, rather than on detailed changes to process – as focusing on process carries a real risk that the law of unintended consequences will come into play.
“I particularly hope that the creation of a new independent planning commission, alongside the removal of some domestic household improvements from the local planning system, will free up valuable resources for local authorities to speed up planning applications for much needed new housing.”
Key measures within the White Paper include:
A new independent planning commission for large infrastructure projects. HBF hope that this will speed up the granting of planning permission for the infrastructure which will support new housing developments around the country.
Proposals to allow Local Planning Authorities to produce Supplementary Planning Documents without reference to Government is of potential concern to HBF in creating greater uncertainty for development, and we hope the Government will reconsider these proposals.
Planning Performance Agreements for major applications are proposed, which the HBF supports.
Proposals on planning fees, including removal of the current fees cap, which HBF considers may have unintended consequences for delivery
Increased involvement of communities and a new “duty to involve.” It is important that such changes should not lead to a slowing down of decisions on planning applications
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Notes to editors:
1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for over 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk
2. The Planning White Paper was published by the DCLG on 21 May 2007:
http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm71/7120/7120.pdf
3. HBF’s own research has shown that Local authorities take on average 248 days – nearly nine months – to issue planning approval after the submission of an application:
http://www.hbf.co.uk/index.php?id=1591&tx_ttnews[pS]=1162339200&tx_ttnews[pL]=2591999&tx_ttnews[arc]=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=10319&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1538&cHash=a20c492a60
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