Planning for change ?

30th Mar 2011

The Coalition Government has recently announced its changes to the planning system against a background of disparaging comments about the planning system from senior members of the Government. In a speech made last month by Prime Minister David Cameron referred to “The town hall officials who take forever with those planning decisions that can be make or break for a business.”

Meanwhile, Business Secretary Vince Cable, in a trade and industry dinner speech, referred to “The planning system has been a major barrier not only to social mobility through its effect on house prices, but to business expansion.”

Last month, the Government’s Budget for 2011, set out a number of planning reforms which will be introduced. These reforms include:

·        Encouraging a new presumption in

      favour of sustainable development

·        Localising choice regarding the use of

      previously developed land

·        Piloting a land auction model, starting

      with public sector land

·        Streamlining planning applications and

      related consents regimes including a

      12 month guarantee for processing all

      planning applications including

      appeals

·         Ensuring a fast-track planning

      process for major infrastructure

      applications;

      and

·        Consulting on proposals so that it is easier to convert
commercial premises to residential.

The Government has also announced in the Budget its measures for encouraging economic growth with the introduction of ten urban Enterprise Zones within the UK. The concept of Enterprise Zones, previously set up during the Thatcher Government, has been revived and updated. According to the Government, these Enterprise Zones will provide discounted business rates to firms and a relaxed planning regime for the purpose of encouraging economic growth.

The proposed planning reforms have, however, been met with scepticism by certain planning professionals including the planning governing body the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). President Richard Summers attacked Budget proposals stating that;

 “If sweeping changes announced to the planning system result in the default position being ‘yes’ to development then there is real danger that within a decade we will end up with an England of tin sheds, Lego land housing and US style shopping malls.”

There are questions as to the impact of these changes to the planning system during the economic recession. Indeed, will the proposed planning reforms improve or worsen the current planning system and wider economic climate?

For further information please contact Louise Oakley on 0191 2210898