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Planning for the future



Planning for the future

April 21, 2020

Lucy Howard, Planning Policy Manager, gives an update on upcoming planning reforms.

The Government announced after the Budget in March its intention to publish major planning reforms in the near future.  An ambitious planning White Paper will aim to modernise the planning system, support the delivery of new homes and create greener communities.  It will be accompanied by a raft of other documents: a Building Safety Bill, a Renters’ Reform Bill and a Social Housing White Paper. Undoubtedly this flurry of Governmental activity will be delayed by the pandemic, but March’s statement give a good indication of changes to come.

The ‘Planning for the Future’ document sets out a number of measures to accelerate planning and create a new English planning system that is fit for the future.  A new planning fee structure is promised along with automatic rebates for planning applications that are successful at appeal.  Zoning will be expanded through local development orders and the compulsory purchase orders accelerated.

The intention is also to make planning more beautiful and greener.  National planning policy will be reformed to embed principles of good design, and a green housing revolution is promised with a new Future Homes Standard on carbon emissions.

Interesting times ahead, although some of the promised reforms such as changes to the Housing Delivery Test and a new formula for calculating housing need will not apply in the National Park.