Select Committee · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

The future of the planning system in England

Status: Closed Opened: 8 Oct 2020 Closed: 17 May 2022 32 recommendations 1 conclusion 1 report

In a White Paper, the Government has set out significant changes to streamline the planning system. Proposals include simplified designations for land usage, including automatic permission in principle for development in some areas, greater use of digital technology in the planning process and a National Design Guide to ensure “high quality development” that reflects “local … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - The future of the planning system in England HC 38 10 Jun 2021 33 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
10 Recommendation First Report - The future of the planni… Acknowledged

The Government must commission research about the extent of public involvement in the planning system.

The Government must commission research about the extent of public involvement in the planning system. This should precede the collection from local authorities and publishing of statistics about public involvement in Local Plans and in individual 102 The future of the planning system in England planning applications. Such research would … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of understanding public involvement and notes existing research has informed policy work. They plan to consult on future planning practice guidance, but do not commit to commissioning new research before statistics collection.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
14 Conclusion First Report - The future of the planni… Acknowledged

We support the principle of using a standard method that applies across the country.

We support the principle of using a standard method that applies across the country. We recognise there has been criticism of the current standard method for not promoting levelling up by reducing the targets for future homes below the numbers currently being delivered. It also does not directly consider brownfield … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government welcomed the committee's support for a standard method and acknowledged ongoing representations regarding its effectiveness. It stated that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will require a new National Planning Policy Framework, and it intends to publish a prospectus outlining further policy thinking.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
17 Recommendation First Report - The future of the planni… Acknowledged

We echo the Public Accounts Committee’s calls for greater clarity on how the Government will...

We echo the Public Accounts Committee’s calls for greater clarity on how the Government will deliver its ambition for 300,000 housing units a year, and why this target was chosen. Our previous reports have endorsed the need for additional social and specialist housing. But the scepticism voiced by some about … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government reaffirms its ambition to deliver 300,000 homes per year, citing compelling evidence from a 2014 report and general consensus for the target. They highlight recent delivery figures but do not publish a detailed evidential basis or specific plan for achievement by tenure and …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
19 Recommendation First Report - The future of the planni… Acknowledged

We support ensuring that the additional housing being built includes affordable and social housing.

We support ensuring that the additional housing being built includes affordable and social housing. There should also be support and encouragement for local authorities to deliver specialist housing, particularly for elderly and people with disabilities. The Government should create a C2R class for retirement communities to ensure clarity in the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for specialist housing and refers to existing NPPF guidance for local authorities, but does not commit to a statutory obligation for identifying sites or creating a new C2R use class. It states it already publishes statistics on affordable housing supply, …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
7 Dec 2020 Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Simon Gallagher · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government View ↗
23 Nov 2020 Claire Dutch · Ashurst LLP, Ingrid Samuel · National Trust, Nigel Wilson · Homes for the North, Paula Hewitt · ADEPT, Philip Waddy · Royal Institute of British Architects, Richard Blyth · Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Steve Quartermain, Tony Mulhall · The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) View ↗
9 Nov 2020 Andrew Longley · North Northamptonshire Joint Planning and Delivery Unit, Brian Berry · Federation of Master Builders, Kate Henderson · National Housing Federation, Lisa Fairmaner · Greater London Authority, Philip Barnes · Barratt Developments View ↗

Who gave evidence

15 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Andrew Longley · Head North Northamptonshire Joint Planning and Delivery Unit 1
Brian Berry · Chief Executive Federation of Master Builders 1
Claire Dutch · Partner, Co-Head of Planning and Environment Ashurst LLP 1
Ingrid Samuel · Historic Environment Director National Trust 1
Kate Henderson · CEO National Housing Federation 1
Lisa Fairmaner · Head of London Plan and Growth Strategies Greater London Authority 1
Nigel Wilson · Chair Homes for the North 1
Paula Hewitt · 1st Vice President ADEPT 1
Philip Barnes · Group Land and Planning Director Barratt Developments 1
Philip Waddy · Chair of the RIBA Expert Advisory Group on Planni… Royal Institute of British Architects 1
Richard Blyth · Head of Policy Practice and Research Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) 1
Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP · Minister for Housing Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1
Simon Gallagher · Planning Director Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1
Steve Quartermain 1
Tony Mulhall · Associate Director The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) 1

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
10 Nov 2020 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair dated 3 October concerning the …
8 Oct 2020 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State dated 8 October 2020 concerning…