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

Clear

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

2 items
15 Recommendation First Report - The future of the planni… Deferred

We think the Government’s abandonment of its proposed formula for determining housing need is the...

We think the Government’s abandonment of its proposed formula for determining housing need is the correct decision. There remains a need for additional information about how the Government’s revised approach, announced in December 2020, might work in practice. This is especially important given the proposed urban uplift for 20 urban … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government welcomes support for the standard method, stating that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will require a new National Planning Policy Framework. They intend to publish an NPPF prospectus outlining further policy thinking.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
16 Recommendation First Report - The future of the planni… Deferred

In addition: • We broadly agree with the Government’s general approach of using workplace- based...

In addition: • We broadly agree with the Government’s general approach of using workplace- based earnings. But for specific local authorities the Government should consider using residence-based earnings to ensure the housing targets accurately reflect local circumstances. The Government should also publish what the housing targets would be using each … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government welcomes support for a standard method, stating that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will require a new National Planning Policy Framework. They intend to publish an NPPF prospectus for further policy thinking, deferring specific actions.
Read full response →
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…