25 March 2010
Decisions about relaxing planning restrictions should be left in the hands of councils not Whitehall, local government leaders have said.
The Budget proposed a significant overhaul of the planning regime including: a faster and more streamlined application process; a presumption in favour of sustainable development; and a 12-month guarantee for the processing of all planning applications. Ministers also intend to consult on making it easier for developers to convert commercial property into residential.
But the Local Government Association fears this proposal could replace a ‘one-size-fits-all’ system with a similar one.
Gary Porter, chair of the LGA’s environment and housing board, said: ‘Removing the need for developers to obtain permission for converting empty shops into new housing may help in some areas, but it should be down to councils and residents to decide.’
He added that any planning changes should not ‘fly in the face of localism’.
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said the planning reforms would put the UK back on a ‘strong and sustainable economic footing’.
He said: ‘We are unblocking the costly planning system, regenerating redundant sites and putting the brakes on years of Whitehall micro-management.’
National Housing Federation chief executive David Orr backed the call for planning bodies to prioritise growth and create jobs, but said that for it to work ‘ministers must ensure the presumption in favour of sustainable development is included in the Localism Bill’.
He added: ‘Councils must continue to maximise the affordable housing they secure through planning gain deals.’
