Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 129
Ensure planning authorities have adequate resources and skills to prevent energy infrastructure bottlenecks.
Recommendation
We urge the Government to ensure that the planning authorities have adequate resources to obtain and develop the skills and capacity necessary to prevent the planning system being a bottleneck to the rollout of energy infrastructure. The increase in planning fees is a justifiable measure to provide more adequate resources to planning authorities: but additional funding should be provided, and finances should be ring- fenced for local authorities.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for sufficient resources for local planning authorities and has consulted on increasing planning fees and allowing LAs to set their own fees. It is also reviewing how to deploy additional support from increased stamp duty, but does not explicitly commit to additional government funding or ring-fencing finances as requested.
Paragraph Reference:
129
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Government needs local planning authorities to have sufficient resources to be able to provide a high-quality planning service and timely planning decisions, to support the Government’s priorities for economic growth, infrastructure and housing delivery. As part of the consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, which closed on 24 September, we consulted on proposals to increase planning fees for householder applications and other applications. The consultation also sought views on a proposal for local planning authorities to set their own fees to cover their costs. We have a dedicated Planning Capacity and Capability to support local planning authorities. The Government is currently reviewing how best to deploy additional support made available as a result of our plans to increase the rate of the stamp duty surcharge paid by non-UK residents.