Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Seventh Report - Reforms to national planning policy

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee HC 1122 Published 14 July 2023
Report Status
Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations
25 items (17 recs)
Government Response
AI assessment · 25 of 25 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 6
Not Addressed 6
Rejected 4
Filter by: Clear

Recommendations

4 results
4 Accepted in Part

Urgently conduct and publish impact assessments for all future NPPF changes, with clear timelines.

Recommendation
The Government should urgently conduct and publish impact assessments on all future NPPF changes. It should take a more strategic approach to future consultations, including publishing timelines for the implementation of its proposed reforms. (Paragraph 22) The national housing target Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states it will continue to consider the potential impacts, including equalities, of NPPF changes, but indicates a targeted approach to evaluation due to resource constraints and does not commit to publishing all impact assessments or timelines for future reforms.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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16 Accepted in Part

Delay abolishing the Duty to Cooperate until a new regional housing alignment policy is published

Recommendation
The Government should ensure that the new alignment policy requires local authorities to work together on housing delivery, or introduce other mechanisms to encourage regional cooperation between local authorities on housing delivery. The detail of the new alignment policy must … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the need for continued cooperation, stating the Duty to Cooperate will remain in place until June 2025, and intends to introduce new joint spatial development strategies and supplementary plans to encourage regional cooperation.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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21 Accepted in Part
Para 100

Outline ‘test and learn’ process and timeline for piloting the new Infrastructure Levy regime

Recommendation
Whilst piloting the new IL is a sensible approach, the Government must outline from the outset exactly how the ‘test and learn’ process will work and set out a limited timeline. The Government should make adjustments where appropriate as part … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government commits to further consultation and a "Test and Learn" approach for the Infrastructure Levy, stating that necessary changes can be made and further details on the process will be provided as policy design progresses, but does not specify a limited timeline from the outset.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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25 Accepted in Part

Subject National Development Management Policies to full parliamentary scrutiny before implementation

Recommendation
Each draft NDMP should be subject to full and proper parliamentary scrutiny before coming into force. Any draft NDMP which would have the effect of superseding the plan-led system should be carefully considered in Parliament on a case-by-case basis. 40 … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) will not supersede the plan-led system and will be subject to public consultation, allowing Parliamentarians to scrutinise them, but does not commit to making them subject to the same formal parliamentary requirements as National Policy Statements.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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