UK government launches “Planning for the Future”
With this measure, the government of Boris Johnson seeks to make a query about its economic and social planning methodology.
The government has launched ‘Planning for the Future,’ a consultation on reform of the planning system.
The reforms would identify land into three categories: ‘growth’ areas suitable for substantial development, ‘renewal’ areas suitable for some development, and ‘protected’ areas where development is restricted. Planning authorities would identify subareas in their growth areas for self-build and custom-built homes so that more people can build their own homes.
To speed up housing construction, local housing plans would need to be developed and agreed in 30 months, compared to seven years today.
Every area of the UK should have a local plan to build more houses. In its current state, 50% of the local areas have a plan to build more.
Local councils would consult at the planning request stage in an attempt to streamline the process.
“Our previous housing system was a barrier.”
Robert Jenrick, Housing Secretary, said: “Our complex planning system has been a barrier to building the homes that people need; It takes seven years to agree on local house plans and five years just to get a shovel in the ground.”
“These once-in-a-generation reforms will lay the foundation for a brighter future, providing more homes for young people, and creating better quality neighborhoods and homes across the country. We will cut red tape, but not standards, placing more importance than ever on quality, design, and the environment. Planning decisions will be simple and transparent, with local democracy at the center of the process.”
“Now that we are faced with the economic effects of the pandemic, now is the time to take decisive action and a clear plan for jobs and growth. Our reforms will create thousands of jobs and reduce the dominance of the big builders in the system.”
The new system will be more effective.
To accelerate delays, existing tests of robustness, requirements for assessments (including those relating to environment and feasibility), and duty to cooperate would be removed and replaced by a single legal “sustainable development.”
The government said it would replace the current planning process with a “clearer rule base system,” given that about a third of planning cases that go to appeal are dropped at that stage.
The proposals have received a mixed response, with some thinking that the renovations could lead to a large number of substandard housing.
Others, however, agreed that the planning process needs change.
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