Planning decisions are set to be fast-tracked in a sweeping overhaul of local planning committees, as part of new measures set out by the government to stimulate economic growth and tackle the housing crisis.
As set out in the Plan for Change, the government says it is fully focused on unlocking economic growth across the country. To support this, the deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has set out plans to speed up the planning process and support better decision making in the system.
Under new plans to modernise the planning approval process, applications that comply with local development plans could bypass planning committees entirely to tackle chronic uncertainty, unacceptable delays and unnecessary waste of time and resources.
The measures would see a national scheme of delegation introduced, the creation of streamlined committees for strategic development and mandatory training for planning committee members.
Under the new plans, local planning officers will also have an enhanced decision-making role to implement agreed planning policy.
The changes will mean greater certainty to housebuilders that good-quality schemes aligned with already-agreed local development plans will be approved in a timely manner to get spades in the ground. With it, kickstarting economic growth and raising living standards in every part of the country, putting money back in the pockets of working people.
Alongside the proposed reforms, the government is this week expected to confirm sweeping changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) following a consultation launched in July.
Rayner said: “Building more homes and infrastructure across the country means unblocking the clogged-up planning system that serves as a chokehold on growth. The government will deliver a sweeping overhaul of the creaking local planning committee system.
“Streamlining the approvals process by modernising local planning committees means tackling the chronic uncertainty and damaging delays that acts as a drag anchor on building the homes people desperately need.
“Grasping the nettle of planning committee reform and fast-tracking decision-making is a vital part of our Plan for Change. Building 1.5 million homes over five years means tackling the housing crisis we inherited head-on with bold action.
“Through our Planning and Infrastructure Bill, alongside new National Planning Policy Framework and mandatory housing targets, we are taking decisive steps to accelerate building, get spades in the ground and deliver the change communities need.”
Responding to Rayner’s announcement yesterday, Fergus Charlton, planning law partner at national law firm, Michelmores, said: “The proposals are certainly bold, and the government should be commended for that.
“There are many components of the planning system that can be improved, and planning committees are certainly one of those. Most developers’ experience of committees is akin to a rollercoaster ride, and they may well prefer to rely on the professionalism of a planning officer to make the decision, avoiding the vagaries of a committee decision if that can be done. The beneficial effect of these proposals will turn on how the phrase ‘complies with the development plan’ is interpreted.
“One omission to focus on is that planning decisions must be made in accordance with the development plan and any material considerations. Very often those material considerations turn on local knowledge and awareness. Good decision planning committees can critically evaluate those pertinent material considerations, but these play no part in the proposed options for the national scheme of delegation. This may be to the detriment of good decision making.
“I also feel for the planning officers. Their decision-making responsibilities will become that much more stressful.”
Alun Williams, partner at London law firm Spector Constant & Williams, commented: “Certainly, the new policies announced do correctly target the area where the greatest blockage in the system occurs. Far too many planning committee decisions are delayed for a wide range of sometimes very mundane reasons.
“When nimbyism and local politics also enter the equation then the route to obtaining a consent becomes tortuous. The cries from the opponents of these reforms, usually on the basis that they will bypass the views of the local community, rather miss the point. The time to properly take in the views and requirements of the community should be in the adoption of the Local Development Plan allowing
“Developers to work towards an objective set of goals, rather than dealing with the subjective and often arbitrary views of individual councillors currently voiced at what really ought to be the end of the process, rather than the beginning of a protracted resubmission or appeals process.”
