Recommendations & Conclusions
7 items
1
Recommendation
First Report - The future of the planni…
Accepted in Part
We are concerned about the lack of detail in respect of the proposed reforms to the planning system, which has made it very difficult to assess the possible practical implications of many of the reforms. The Government should consult on the details of proposed reforms to prevent unintended consequences and …
Read more
We are concerned about the lack of detail in respect of the proposed reforms to the planning system, which has made it very difficult to assess the possible practical implications of many of the reforms. The Government should consult on the details of proposed reforms to prevent unintended consequences and harms resulting from them. Given the complexity of the issues, and the possibility that its contents will differ from the proposals contained in the White Paper, the Planning Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech should be brought forward in a draft form, and be subject to pre- legislative scrutiny. We stand ready to undertake such scrutiny. (Paragraph 16) The Government’s three areas proposal
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the need for significant engagement and notes past consultations led to revised plans. However, they opted to bring legislation forward without a draft bill or pre-legislative scrutiny, instead committing to engage the Committee on subsequent regulations.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
3
Recommendation
First Report - The future of the planni…
Accepted in Part
If after reconsideration the Government does continue with the three areas approach, we recommend that as a minimum: • The Government should clearly explain how Local Plans will impose requirements on developments in an area. At present it appears to be proposing the current planning application system will continue to …
Read more
If after reconsideration the Government does continue with the three areas approach, we recommend that as a minimum: • The Government should clearly explain how Local Plans will impose requirements on developments in an area. At present it appears to be proposing the current planning application system will continue to be available in growth and renewal areas for proposals that would not conform to the local plan requirements. The Government should set out what level of detail will be needed in the Local Plans to ensure that developers and other stakeholders have certainty as to whether prospective developments would be permitted. • Local authorities should set out detailed plans for growth and renewal areas which specify heights of buildings, density of development, minimum parking standards, access to retail, education, transport, health facilities and other local amenities. This may be by way of a planning brief for particular sites, which may be undertaken subsequent to the local planning process and which is subjected to detailed consultation with local people. Developers that propose developments in accordance with such planning briefs would then be invited to undertake such developments. In all such areas, local authorities must be enabled to prevent 100 The future of the planning system in England overdevelopment, particularly in areas of existing housing such as suburban settings. Any proposal deviating from the standards proposed at a local level would otherwise be subjected to the current full planning application process. • The Government should consider the proposals for sub-areas within the ‘renewal area’, where permission in principle would not apply and individual planning permission would be required. • The Government should implement a ‘highly protected’ alongside a ‘protected’ area category. This would enable strong protections for areas that local authorities think need such a shield against development, whilst ensuring development can still happ
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agrees that the relationship between plans and national policy should be clear, stating the Bill will give local plans more weight and introduce National Development Management Policies. They also mention a new requirement for infrastructure providers to assist local authorities with plan drafting.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
18
Recommendation
First Report - The future of the planni…
Accepted in Part
It is our view is that the pace of completing planning permissions is too slow, and that carrots and sticks are needed to quicken the pace. The Government should produce a strategy for increasing the extent of multi-tenure construction on large sites in line with the Letwin Review’s recommendations. It …
Read more
It is our view is that the pace of completing planning permissions is too slow, and that carrots and sticks are needed to quicken the pace. The Government should produce a strategy for increasing the extent of multi-tenure construction on large sites in line with the Letwin Review’s recommendations. It should explore the greater use of Development Corporations that are transparent and accountable, alongside incentivising the use of smaller sites and SME builders. We also recommend introducing, in the first instance, time limits for the completion of construction and non-financial penalties where those limits are exceeded without good cause. The Government should set a limit of 18 months following discharge of planning conditions for work to commence on site. If work has not progressed to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority then the planning permission may be revoked. An allowance of a further 18 months should be allowed for development to be completed, after which the local authority should be able, taking account of the size and complexity of the site, and infrastructure to be completed by other parties, to levy full council tax for each housing unit which has not been completed.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for diversification on large sites and support for SMEs, citing existing loan funds. It addresses slow build rates by stating the Bill will introduce stronger tools for local authorities, including Development Commencement Notices and streamlined completion notices that can lead …
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
20
Recommendation
First Report - The future of the planni…
Accepted in Part
We heard concerns about the Government’s First Homes programme, especially its potential impact on the provision of other forms of affordable housing. First Homes has an important part to play in delivering homeownership, and we hope that the Government has learnt the lessons of the failure of the Starter Homes …
Read more
We heard concerns about the Government’s First Homes programme, especially its potential impact on the provision of other forms of affordable housing. First Homes has an important part to play in delivering homeownership, and we hope that the Government has learnt the lessons of the failure of the Starter Homes programme and the need for the 25% price reduction to remain in perpetuity. But the Government must also ensure that its First Homes programme does not reduce incentives for other types of affordable housing—in particular the delivery of shared ownership properties or social housing. We recommend that the Government lay out its timetable for when First Homes will become available. To reflect the needs for different types of affordable housing in different areas, local authorities should have discretion over what proportion of houses built under Section 106 agreements must be First Homes.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states First Homes are already available at pilot sites and expects them to ramp up over the next few years, partially addressing the timetable. However, while local authorities retain discretion for overall affordable housing need, the policy mandates First Homes account for at …
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
23
Recommendation
First Report - The future of the planni…
Accepted in Part
We were disappointed that very little progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of our predecessor committee’s report into land value capture. The Government’s response to our social housing report did not engage with our renewed recommendations about reforming the Land Compensation Act 1961, and the promised consultation in …
Read more
We were disappointed that very little progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of our predecessor committee’s report into land value capture. The Government’s response to our social housing report did not engage with our renewed recommendations about reforming the Land Compensation Act 1961, and the promised consultation in the response for autumn 2020 has not appeared. We call upon the Government to act upon the whole range of recommendations in our predecessor committee’s Land Value Capture report.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government has considered previous land value capture recommendations and proposes a new Infrastructure Levy, developed based on consultations, to reform developer contributions and retain Section 106 agreements in limited circumstances.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
26
Recommendation
First Report - The future of the planni…
Accepted in Part
There is a clear need for additional resources for local planning authorities and this was reflected in evidence from a wide range of sectors. The reduction in their funding is slowing down the workings of the planning system. The Government’s proposed reforms will require additional specialist skills, for example in …
Read more
There is a clear need for additional resources for local planning authorities and this was reflected in evidence from a wide range of sectors. The reduction in their funding is slowing down the workings of the planning system. The Government’s proposed reforms will require additional specialist skills, for example in areas such as design, on top of the existing resource pressures faced by the planning system. The Royal Town Planning Institute estimated that £500 million over four years was needed in additional funding. We therefore welcome the additional funding provided at the Comprehensive Spending Review, and the Minister’s assurance that this is only the start. The pressures on the system will only increase if the Government proceeds with its reforms, including the thirty-month timeframe for Local Plans, at the same time as LPAs have to continue to operate the current system. The Ministry should now seek to obtain a Treasury commitment for an additional £500 million over four years for local planning authorities. Providing this certainty of funding should precede the introduction of the Planning Bill.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government does not commit to the requested £500 million additional funding for local planning authorities, instead highlighting an existing £65 million investment for digital improvements and proposing to increase planning fees by 25-35% to enhance resourcing.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
31
Recommendation
First Report - The future of the planni…
Accepted in Part
There is a case for improving our knowledge of where there are possible historical sites and for further protections for specific sites and currently undesignated locations. The Historic Environment Records dataset should be put on a statutory basis. The Government should assess the merits of providing additional protections for other …
Read more
There is a case for improving our knowledge of where there are possible historical sites and for further protections for specific sites and currently undesignated locations. The Historic Environment Records dataset should be put on a statutory basis. The Government should assess the merits of providing additional protections for other sites, such as those of local interest and World Heritage Sites. We also recommend that the Government publish an assessment of the impact of its proposed changes on historic buildings and sites. This should include the impact on undesignated and future archaeology, and on heritage sites situated in growth areas.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agrees to put Historic Environment Records on a statutory basis, with provisions in the Bill. It also states the Bill will align legislative protection for key designated heritage assets, but the response does not explicitly commit to publishing a broad impact assessment of …
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government