We previously wrote about the government’s Planning for the Future white paper.  The proposals, announced in August 2020, were to make “once in a generation” reform of the planning system in England. Since then, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee held an inquiry to gather evidence and in June 2021 published its first report on the matter, The future of the planning system in England.

Any reform of the planning system is going to be controversial, and the government’s current proposals are no different.  Even whether reform is required at all is a matter of debate, some argue that the current system is broken, others that it functions well and simply needs greater resource. 

The government’s proposals are wide ranging and views on the suggested reforms are diverse.  The committee’s report draws together, as best it can, the evidence gathered and makes recommendations.  In summary, the recommendations are:

Reconsider the three zones (growth, renewal and protected) approach to the Local Plan;

Include more detailed specifications for growth and renewal areas;

Explain plans for the replacement of the duty to cooperate;

Retain the ability for the public to comment on planning proposals as they come forward;

Consider a staggered roll out of new style Local Plans;

Provide practical information on the proposed new method for calculating housing need;

Impose a limit of 18 months for commencing work on residential sites following the discharge of planning conditions, failing which the planning permission could be revoked.  A further 18 months should be allowed for completion, after which full council tax per unit could be levied (considering size, complexity and third-party infrastructure);

Provide evidence for the housing target of 300,000 units per year, with an explanation of how it can be achieved;

Retain section 106 agreements to protect affordable housing, although there is a case for replacing the community infrastructure levy, taking account of previous recommendations on land value capture;

Secure an extra £500 million over four years for local planning authorities prior to introducing the Planning Bill;

Beauty is a subjective measure and, whilst desirable, should not detract from other important elements of design in its broadest sense, such as place-making and function;

Review the Green Belt, considering its purpose, whether it serves that purpose, what criteria for inclusion is, and, whether additional protection is apt;

Metropolitan Open Land should be protected in the same way as Green Belt;

Ensure protection for heritage and environment designations and sites and as yet undesignated assets;

Clarify how flood risk will be defined, taking account of climate change; and

Reconsider retention of sustainability assessments and ensure operation of Environmental Impact Assessments are covered.

We will watch the progress of the proposals as they move forward and see what changes are made. At this stage it seems almost certain that some of the boldest changes, such as the broad-brush Local Plan zoning, will be substantially watered down from the reforms set out in the white paper.