Planning reform - where are we now?

PLANNING REFORM –Where are we now?

London and Planning Seminar Wednesday 9 November 2011

The Government’s vision Freedom, Fairness and Responsibility •

Fundamental change in the relationship between citizens and the state.

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Individuals and communities have more power and responsibility.

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Freedom from top-down controls.

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Extending transparency to every area of public life.

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What we aim to achieve Reform to achieve…

• Greater democratic and local control • Rebalancing system in favour of sustainable development • Delivering a simpler and more effective system Delivering…

A plan-led system that empowers local people to shape their surroundings whilst encouraging the idea that development can positively benefit a community. A system that is positive, proactive, simple, less adversarial and free from bureaucratic barriers.

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Planning Reform Agenda Growth review

National Policy Neighbourhood Plans

Local Plans NPPF

Community Right to Build

Presumption

Incentives

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Localism Bill Decentralises power and responsibility to shape places • • • • •

Abolition of Regional Strategies A new duty to cooperate – LAs must address cross boundary issues in their plans A new permissive regime of neighbourhood plans – that must fit with local plans CIL to become more of a local incentive – alongside the New Homes Bonus Abolition of the IPC and return of decision making on major infrastructure to Ministers

Shift from central targets to localised incentives Results in a much greater emphasis on local plans – the strategic plan 5

Local authorities: Progress with core strategies

September 2010, 62 councils had adopted core strategies September 2011, 125 councils have adopted core strategies, or been found sound

By September 2011 another 63 councils had submitted or published a draft plan 6

Planning at Strategic level

Duty to co-operate in Bill Encourage constructive, active and continuous dialogue between authorities, county councils and public bodies Inform emerging policies and evidence gathering on cross boundary and strategic issues, including health, and between counties and districts – strategic working at local level Joint working already happening – Bill will facilitate this further Compliance will be tested at examination

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Planning at Local level

Local plans at centre of reform and plan-led system going forward Simplified processes – reduce burden of reporting to centre Increase accountability locally through reporting Control of planning decisions to local councils and communities Infrastructure Plans – including public health ( cycle paths etc)

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Planning at neighbourhood level Give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine the shape of the places in which people live through ‘neighbourhood plans’ • Empower communities to take control • Neighbourhood not LPA led.

• Light-touch process • Inspire innovation and creativity • Exploring ways of enabling small scale community development.

• Permissive regime • Community well being 9

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) • Published

25 July, consultation ends on 17 October.

• Key part of our reforms to make the planning system less complex; more accessible; and promote sustainable growth.

• Mixed reaction so far: • For – CBI; HBF; BPF etc • Against – CPRE; RSPB; NT etc • Number of consultation events covering NPPF and other key elements of our planning reforms scheduled for September 10

Use Classes: The commitment

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To consult on proposals to provide permitted development rights for the change from commercial (B use classes) to residential (C3 use class), and extend the scope for conversion of space over shops

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Consultation paper issued 8 April and closed 30 June ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Encourage greater use of local development orders to remove barriers to growth and redevelopment locally

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Chief Planner letter issued 8 April ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Seek views of whether there are broader issues on how change of use can best be managed in the planning system to facilitate growth Chief Planner letter issued 8 April and issues paper published on DCLG website 25 June, responses requested by 1 September ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ministers considering responses received in deciding how to move forward

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What’s coming ….

• Neighbourhood Planning - draft regulations consultation • CIL consultation - draft regulations to implement Bill reforms • Localism Bill - Royal Assent • Final NPPF - Publication & outcome of consultation

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