Building Design.’s Post

Planning more clearly is the way to delegate decision-making: As the government considers changes to planning committee delegation, Nicholas Boys Smith MBE of CREATE STREETS explores how collaboration, clarity, and existing legislation could help ensure the system works for all #architecture

In the last week, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has unveiled two flagship pieces of policy that will shake up planning policy and the local government architecture in a bid to get growth going. Senior Associate Sam Tankard takes a look at what impact this might have for businesses that operate in this sector.  https://lnkd.in/eGZENXkK #housing #builtenvironment #localauthorities

UK Housing Challenges: A Call for Collaboration The UK government has set an ambitious goal: 1.5 million homes before the end of this parliament. Yet, as highlighted in a recent article in Architects Journal, obstacles in our planning system threaten to undermine this promise. From 'planning by vibes' to councillors opposing developments on subjective grounds, it's clear that reforms are needed. Issues like: - Misaligned local decision-making - Resistance to new housing by 'NIMBY' advocates - A lack of transparency in planning consequences ...all of which are contributing to our housing crisis. What can be done? Mandatory training for planning committees, better delegation of decisions to qualified officers, and fairer evaluation of objections are just a few of the steps that could pave the way for progress. This isn't just about hitting targets—it's about creating homes and communities that address our nation's urgent needs. According to recent MHCLG figures, to meet the government's target will need an increase in annual production of around 60%, so it is clear there is much work to be done! At Marjoram Architects, we believe collaboration is key. Government, local councils, architects, developers, and communities must work together to reform planning processes, promote transparency, and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. Only then can we overcome these challenges and create sustainable, well-designed homes for future generations. 📖 Read more about this pressing issue and proposed solutions in the article: https://lnkd.in/ec4gY5NZ What are your thoughts on how we can balance the need for development with local concerns? Let us know in the comments! #MarjoramArchitects #HousingCrisis #UrbanPlanning #Collaboration #ArchitectureMatters

☀️ By-passing planning committees is the headline announcement this week in the mission (foundation/first step/pillar/milestone) to get Britain building. The industry, haunted by delays and committee refusals against recommendation, appear to welcome the change. Is changing who makes the decision the answer to a sclerotic planning system? An improved scheme of delegated decisions makes a lot of sense, but it places a lot of pressure on planning officers – what degree of balance or judgement will apply to the scheme of delegation in our discretionary planning system? And will it speed up getting the initial consent and the post-consent legal agreement?  Very few applications, if any, accord with development plans in every area of policy. What are the unintended consequences: ➡️ Lack of democratic accountability depending on degree of officer judgement applied. How do they balance viability, housing mix, or height and density when not directly in line with development plan policies? ➡️ Risk aversion from those making delegated decisions.  Could it lengthen the process as planning officers seek to protect their decision from any perception of favourability towards developers/public challenge? ➡️ How many small sites will be compliant with development plans? These are the applications that need speeding up, the ones that might get built quicker, and get people a new home faster.   For context, in the year to June 2024: ➕ 230,600 units were granted in England 🏚️ A total of 22,800 or 80% of all housing projects were for 10 units or less. 🏢 A total of 75,000 or 94% of all housing projects were for 100 units or less. How many of these projects – with all the incumbent challenges of delivering small schemes, particularly viability – will qualify for the expedited delegation?   Are committees the problem? Or is it that planning is overly complex, overly regulated and too demanding on those seeking to build? I’d start with a broad, loose scheme of delegation that applies to the 94% of projects mentioned above and creates the bandwidth for the planning profession to put their skills to unlocking the challenging strategic projects, and maybe get cracking on those New Towns. Cavendish #planning #builtenvironment #planningcommittee #planningreform #mhclg #politics

Labour’s Proposed Changes to the NPPF 🚨 The article highlights key revisions by Labour to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including: ✨ Removing "beauty" from planning considerations, viewing it as too subjective and restrictive. 🏙️ Introducing the "grey belt" concept to enable development on underused green belt land, despite challenges like pollution and covenants. 🏡 Setting new mandatory housing targets to better meet housing needs, moving away from Gove's advisory model. 🔧 Streamlining Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) with proposed reforms to accelerate approvals. #HousingDevelopment #LabourPolicy #NPPF #SustainableDevelopment

Fascinating insights and analysis at yesterday's Savills planning seminar, which focused on the NPPF and the impact it has had on housing delivery and local plan adoption, since it was introduced in 2012. With the general election now just two weeks away, there was also discussion on the three main parties positions on planning reform. For me, the key talking points and issues discussed were: ⚖ To really stimulate the housebuilding sector and deliver the homes we desperately need as a nation, the less talk and initiation of legislative change the better. 🌳 We need a holistic review of the greenbelt and the purpose it serves, not just tinkering around the edges. ✍ Local authority planning departments are chronically understaffed (no surprise to anyone working in the industry). Even with Labour's proposals to recruit 300 new planning officers, it will be challenging to attract talent from the private sector. 🏡 We need to continue to amplify and mobilise the silent majority who are pro-development, in the face of opposition to planning applications. Ideas ranged from community review panels (representative of the local area's demographic) to scrutinise pre-application proposals at an early stage, to writing to those on the housing waiting list to get their views on applications. If you want to know what an incoming Labour government might mean for your business, or how best to navigate the politics of planning in London, get in touch with the Lowick team. #builtenvironment #publicaffairs #NPPF #housingdelivery

#Planning decisions are set to be fast-tracked in a sweeping overhaul of #localplanning committees, as part of new measures to tackle the #housingcrisis. The measures would see a #national scheme of #delegation introduced, the creation of streamlined #planningcommittees for #strategicdevelopment and mandatory training for #planning #committeemembers.  Under the new plans, local #planningofficers will also have an enhanced decision-making role to implement agreed #planningpolicy.  https://lnkd.in/gM8hAVYd.

From the now-defunct The Consultation Institute (tCI) and Stephen Hill - a question that sometimes arises for those of us running #LocalGovernment #planning #consultations; can you re-open them, and what are the implications of doing so? https://lnkd.in/e55zAAan

The Planning Regulation 2017, Minister’s Guidelines and Rules and Development Assessment Rules were amended on 22 July 2024. These amendments support the objectives of the Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Act 2024 passed by parliament on 16 April 2024.   Key amendments in the Planning Regulation include: • criteria for the new State facilitated development pathway • a new ability to impose a development condition for the provision of an affordable housing component • criteria for an affordable housing component • a new definition for ‘build-to-rent’ development • requirements for applications to register, renew and amend urban encroachment registrations, and • requirements for applications to extend or amend temporary use licences More detail about the changes can be found on the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works website.

The RIAI has called on Government to fulfil its commitment to deliver affordable housing and sustainable communities in Budget 2025. In its Pre-Budget Submission, the RIAI lays out eleven targeted actions that will enable the delivery of more affordable housing, introduce plan-led development of our towns and cities, and create more sustainable and climate-friendly communities across all of Ireland. Speaking at the launch of their Pre-Budget Submission, Sean Mahon, RIAI President said: “The actions identified in the Institutes Pre-Budget Submission have the potential to deliver huge impact in addressing our current housing and climate crises. Our Submission delivers eleven targeted actions that, if implemented, will deliver a high-quality built environment for Ireland, that is affordable, climate resilient, and well resourced. Architects have a unique knowledge and skillset when it comes to urban planning and the built environment. Government needs to harness this expertise for the public benefit, to ensure that Ireland’s infrastructure and public spaces best serve the people of Ireland. Ireland has the expertise needed to transform our society to best serve our citizens, by providing quality affordable homes, sustainable well-resourced communities, and a climate resilient public realm. RIAI’s submission lays out a clear set of actions that will drive this change. What we need now is government action and leadership to use Budget 2025 to harness this expertise and deliver on this potential.” To read the full RIAI Pre-Budget Submission please visit https://lnkd.in/dYx__k8C #prebudgetsubmission #keyrecommendations #affordablehousing #sustainablecommunities #irisharchitecturetogether