The Leader of the House has recently announced at Business Questions, Government’s intention to recommit the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill to Standing Committee.
They have taken this decision to enable them to bring forward provisions, which will end the Crowns immunity from planning control, subject to certain safeguards. Given the substantive nature of the proposed amendments Government want to the House of Commons to have the opportunity to debate these new provisions fully before the Bill resumes its remaining stages.
At the same time they will also be seeking to introduce further provisions, which will help to implement the Sustainable Communities agenda.
Clearly this will mean that the Bill will not be able to complete its remaining stages in this session. Motions have therefore also been tabled today to allow the Bill to be carried over into the next Parliamentary session. Government will be seeking to ensure that the Bill reaches the statute book as soon as possible in the next session to lessen the impact of this slight delay.
According to the ODPM, the intention to carry over the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill into the next session does not signify any lessening in their commitment to reforming the planning system. To this end they have published a progress report on planning reform showing how much has been achieved so far.
HBF will continue to scrutinise Government policy to achieve a faster, fairer and more efficient planning system.