Planning reforms and economic growth
We welcome the Government’s latest announcement on planning reforms and its commitment to introducing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill this spring.
How will the reform be received at local level?
While we recognise that meeting the Government’s ambitious pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes before the end of the current parliament necessitates further planning reform to tackle the housing crisis – this reform also needs to be driven at a local level. It is, therefore, important that the Government critically assesses the implications of these reforms on local authority responses to housing delivery. Given the dynamics of local politics, it is inevitable that some local authorities may simply project an image of cooperation with the Government’s objectives; and a closer examination may reveal potential resistance at the planning committee level. Particularly concerning is the likelihood that some planning committees may oppose developments that contradict their long-held positions on Green Belt release, or the status quo around the number of homes councillors believe is politically acceptable in their towns and cities. Or, that some authorities leverage neighbourhood planning as a political tool to undermine housing delivery, limiting housing supply further.
How will locals respond to centralised decision-making?
In such scenarios, it is plausible that the Government will need to intervene and call in applications, favouring high-profile schemes to underscore the principle that housing needs must prevail over local opposition. This shift away from appeasing NIMBYs, prevalent in the previous administration, could prompt planning committees to reconsider their stances on development. Changing the mindset of some local authorities is fundamental to the creation of a positive planning environment that provides developers with greater certainty in the planning system, encouraging increased investment and growth for our towns and cities.
Support for sustainable development locations
We support the promotion of new homes near to transport hubs, forming the most sustainable patterns of development. We agree that planning applications for housing in such sustainable locations should receive a default ‘yes’ response.
Challenges to the development pipeline remain
However, even with further planning reforms, the construction industry faces formidable challenges; current workforce shortages in the construction industry poses significant barriers to the Government’s plan to turbocharge house building. To effectively address the housing crisis, it is therefore imperative that the detail of the forthcoming planning reforms include measures to increase capacity and skills within supply chains and supporting industries.
Conclusion
If the Government can bring local authorities with them, we are optimistic that these reforms, including the streamlining of planning committees and regulation, will not only address the urgent housing crisis but also elevate the standard of living for local communities.