Source · Select Committees · Built Environment Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Paragraph: 59
How to read this label. It records the position parsed from the published government response. It is not an official government label and does not show whether action was delivered.
If the Government thinks it is appropriate for competent authorities to be responsible for balancing...
Conclusion
If the Government thinks it is appropriate for competent authorities to be responsible for balancing economic, social and environmental priorities at permission stage, it must ensure that the necessary expertise is available within local authorities. Detailed guidance on the process for declaring imperative reasons of overriding public interest must be provided to support legally sound decision making.
Paragraph Reference:
59
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
The Government agrees that highly skilled planners are fundamental to proactive local planning, securing high quality local design and placemaking, and running an efficient planning service for the communities they serve. They are invaluable in creating communities that people are proud to call home - in beautifully designed places. However, the Government recognises that local authorities, as well as the wider planning and environmental sectors, face some capacity and capability challenges which have resulted in delays, including in the processing of planning applications, impacting on homeowners and developers alike. A well-resourced local planning authority is crucial to the delivery of all planning functions, including enforcement. It is important that local authorities take steps to address their own skills shortages and to build the pipeline which allows them to discharge their responsibilities satisfactorily. In addition, DLUHC have developed a comprehensive Planning Capability and Capacity programme which provides more direct support, delivers funding to local government, provides upskilling opportunities for existing planners, and further develops the future pipeline into the profession. As part of the Secretary of State’s Housing Speech on the 24 July, DLUHC have announced the £24 million Planning Skills Delivery Fund to help local planning authorities clear planning backlogs and get the skills in place that they need to respond to changes in the planning system. We also announced £13.5 million for a ‘super squad’ that will deploy teams of specialists to local planning authorities to accelerate the delivery of homes and development, starting with a trailblazing pathfinder in Cambridge. Additionally, the Government is taking steps to ensure that statutory consultees are more resourced to provide appropriate and timely expertise to Local Planning Authorities, recognising their key role in the planning system. These are laid out in detail in our response to the recommendations in paragraphs 120-122 of the Committee’s report. The Government should place the need to deliver housing on a statutory footing equal to that of environmental protection. This will help to ensure balanced decisions can be taken.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗