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
Government response
Response to Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2022 - 23 · published 29 Nov 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 14
Stop-start national planning policy reform creates uncertainty and halts local plan progress.
Conclusion
National planning policy has been characterised by stop-start reform over several years. This has regrettably resulted in uncertainty among local authorities and across the planning sector. Contrary to the Government’s objective of facilitating plan- making, the short-term effect of its …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the consultation on proposed NPPF changes and is considering responses, stating they will continue to assess potential impacts, but does not specifically address the committee's concerns about uncertainty or halted local plan progress.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 57
Standard method formula not fit for purpose due to arbitrary urban uplift
Conclusion
The need for the urban uplift demonstrates that the standard method formula is not currently fit for purpose. The 35% urban uplift is an arbitrary figure, which is not calculated based on local housing need in the areas where it …
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Government Response Summary
The government defends the urban uplift by reiterating its rationale for directing homes to urban centers for regeneration and leveling up, and states they intend to review the approach to housing needs after 2021 Census data is released, but does not commit to publishing the evidence base for the current uplift.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 92
Secure broad political consensus for long-term implementation of the new Infrastructure Levy
Conclusion
We share our predecessor Committee’s view that when considering new mechanisms for land value capture it is vital that the Government learns the right lessons from the past. If the Government is determined to implement the new Infrastructure Reforms to …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need to ensure Infrastructure Levy reforms are successful, committing to further consultation, a "Test and Learn" approach, and parliamentary scrutiny to ensure the Levy achieves its aims and can be adjusted if needed.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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20
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 99
New Infrastructure Levy risks being more complicated than current planning finance system
Conclusion
It is not clear that the new Infrastructure Levy (IL) as it is currently proposed will be swifter and simpler for local authorities to administer than the current CIL/Section 106 agreement regime. The potential for multidimensional charging schedules with many …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concerns about the complexity of the Infrastructure Levy, committing to further consultation, a 'Test and Learn' approach, and parliamentary reporting to ensure the reforms are effective and achieve their aims.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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22
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 101
Infrastructure Levy amendments do not guarantee existing affordable housing delivery levels
Conclusion
We welcome that the Government has tabled amendments to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill to strengthen the duty of local authorities to deliver at least as many affordable homes under the new IL as they do under the current system …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concern regarding affordable housing delivery under the new Infrastructure Levy, committing to a "Test and Learn" approach and a parliamentary report to monitor the Levy's impact and allow for necessary adjustments.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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24
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 115
Insufficient detail on National Development Management Policies risks overriding local plans without oversight
Conclusion
It is regrettable that the Government has still not provided sufficient detail on the content of National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) for stakeholders to fully understand the impact they will have on the planning system. While NDMPs may make the …
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Government Response Summary
The government clarifies that National Development Management Policies will sit alongside local plans and be subject to public consultation before introduction, providing scrutiny, to ensure national policy protections apply without superseding the plan-led system.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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