Consultation: Planning for the Future White Paper (closing date – 20 October 2020)

Your views invited.

This consultation proposes reforms of the planning system. It would streamline and modernise the planning process and and bring a new focus to design and sustainability. In addition, it is intended to improve the system of developer contributions to infrastructure, and ensure more land is available for development where it is needed.

In particular the reforms are intended to mean that:

• local communities will be consulted from the very beginning of the planning process. By harnessing the latest technology through online maps and data, the whole system will be made more accessible;
• valued green spaces will be protected for future generations by allowing for more building on brownfield land and all new streets to be tree lined;
• much-needed homes will be built quicker by ensuring local housing plans are developed and agreed in 30 months – down from the current 7 years it often takes;
• every area will have a local plan in place – currently only 50% of local areas have an up-to-date plan to build more homes;
• the planning process is intended to be overhauled and replaced with a clearer, rules-based system. Currently around a third of planning cases that go to appeal are overturned at appeal;
• a new simpler national levy to replace the current system of developer contributions which often causes delay;
• the creation of a fast-track system for beautiful buildings and establishing local design guidance for developers to build and preserve beautiful communities; and
• all new homes to be 'zero carbon ready'.

The Government's press release can be accessed here, and the Planning for the Future white paper can be accessed here.

Please forward any comments you have to Graham Chalkley, Assistant Practice Director, at [email protected] by Tuesday 20 October 2020.