Daniel Starkey’s Post

The Government is seeking to streamline the #planning approvals process by modernising local #planningcommittees to deal with the uncertainty and damaging delays to #building the #homes people desperately need. This paper invites views on how the #ukgovernment could reform #planningcommittees to support a plan-led system and ensure appropriate democratic oversight. https://lnkd.in/gXqZWZsU

https://lnkd.in/ecP3ptej My latest column emphasises the need for planning processes in Northern Ireland to be taken out of the hands of local councils

So whilst we all wait for the new NPPF to land (assuming it hasn't whilst I type this) a few thoughts on the White Paper https://lnkd.in/dRS2vyPs that was issued at the start of the week focussing on the role and performance of planning committees: 1) there are some sensible general principles in there - consistency, speed and robustness of decision making across the country is really important for the system to work effectively, and it definitely isn't working like that presently. 2) Mandatory training of members of planning committees seems entirely sensible in that context. It strikes me as bizarre that developments that are worth millions and affect the lives of millions could be taken by groups of people that have never benefitted from any form of training. That said, the form that training takes needs to be effective and also not a barrier to encouraging right minded individuals to put themselves forward to become Councillors. 3) I'm personally conflicted about a national scheme of delegation. On one hand it makes a lot of sense - that consistency point and also reducing the burden of sometimes unnecessarily bloated committee agendas. However, there's a danger if not done well, it risks unintended consequences for local communities and developments alike. 4) There has to be an element of judgement in planning - compliance with local planning policies isn't always black and white, and similarly local circumstances can (and do) change in ways that effect the merits of proposals, both positively and negatively. Committees do have a role to play in balancing that judgement, but it definitely needs work. I don't think anyone wants a system that works quickly, but poorly. But as someone who's been doing 'this' for more than 25 years, it's reasonable to say that the system is currently neither sufficiently quick or effective at delivering the right outcomes, and probably in as bad shape as its ever been, so something has to change. So if you're involved in development, the consultation on the white paper is one you should definitely consider responding to. p.s. has 'it' landed yet? #planningreform #whitepaper #nppf p.p.s 'it' has! https://lnkd.in/d_jDVBKT

Last week, the Government published a 'Working Paper' seeking views on a number of potentially significant changes to the operation of planning committees which, if implemented, will help improve consistency and certainty of decision-making for applicants. The proposals including establishing national guidelines on the type of planning applications which are determined at committees; dedicated committees for strategic development; and mandatory training for all planning committee members. Our colleague Myranda Morrison has prepared a note summarising the proposals which can be read below. https://lnkd.in/ec-amPn6 #planning #decisionmaking #planningreform #builtenvironment #firstplan

possibly slightly lost in the noise about the new NPPF last week, but if these reforms to planning committees are taken forward, they could provide much greater certainty and confidence in decision-making which will be welcomed by the planning sector. We'll be watching the results of the consultation with interest. Thanks to Myranda Morrison for the research. https://lnkd.in/euiDx586

In a blog for the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) Hugh Ellis reflects on how best to reform the planning system – and which mistakes to avoid. His blog is entitled: The seven deadly mistakes of planning reform and can be found at: https://lnkd.in/e-XcNzE9 #planning #practice #reform

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published its Planning Reform Working Paper on ‘Modernising Planning Committees’. The Government states that it wants ‘to encourage better development that aligns with development plans, facilitates the delivery of quality homes’…, and gives applicants the reassurance that in more instances their application will be considfeee by professional officers in a timely manner’. It proposes a national scheme of delegation, dedicated committees for strategic development, and a requirement for councillors tiunddttshe appropriate training before they can form part of a planning committee. https://lnkd.in/eSWBvPWU

Yesterday the Government published a working paper on planning reform. SMG have summarised the key points below; To build 1.5 million homes in the next 5 years the Government has recognised that planning committees require urgent reform. The paper notes that committees are often inconsistent, prone to delaying development and good outcomes for communities. Consequently, the Government is approaching action on three fronts; 1. A national scheme of delegation – bringing clarity and consistency to everyone about which applications get decided by officers and which by committees; 2. A dedicated committees for strategic development – allowing a focused and small group of councillors to dedicate energy to the most significant projects; and 3. Training for committee members – requiring that councillors undertake appropriate training before they can form part of a planning committee. A national scheme of delegation will increase the importance of local plans and as outlined in the paper, the proposal could take various forms with one notably being delegation to officers as default with exceptions only for departures from the local development plan. Whilst the paper recognises that strategic development committees already exist in some places and will not be needed in every authority, where they are needed, the proposed make-up of the committees is a smaller group of members with more planning expertise. This may be achieved through more training of political members but also potentially the appointment of independent experts alongside political members. However, what constitutes ‘strategic development’ is yet to be defined and we wait to see more detail on this. Finally, the Government is proposing mandatory training for all planning committee members alongside other key decision makers, if members have not completed this training they will be prohibited from taking part in the decision-making process. It is important to note that all three reforms would require changes to primary legislation through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which is expected to pass next year. This working paper is not part of a formal consultation but the Government is keen to hear the sector’s views on their proposals. If you wish to provide your thoughts on the above then you can find the information to do so here👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/eUngz2eS

Lots of posts around at the moment on changes to planning committes but thanks Megan for summarising the proposals into 3 clear points. All sound sensible to me in principle. Like many of us I have my own personal experiences of councillors using call ins to committees for their own personal political ambitions - knowing this would only delay and not change decisions. I have also spent years trying to encourage planning committee members to learn about place design - some do, most don’t. But we do need to keep in mind that our planning system is still a discretionary one. And although local plans can green light the principle of development on allocated sites and indicate when windfall site development should be supported - many policies are woolly and need interpreting and balancing against each other on a case by case basis. Some form of scrutiny to ensure consistency of how interpretation and balance happens is probably helpful. Maybe untrained councillors are not the best way of providing this - maybe officer sounding groups would work better? Maybe things like design review or community panels can play a part? But leaving all discretion and decision making to individual officers and their line managers is a lot to ask. A shake up is needed, but discretionary decision making needs checks and balances.

In advance of the much anticipated NPPF revisions, and following a round of press coverage yesterday, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have this morning published a working paper on proposed reforms to modernise planning committees. In order to modernise planning committees, the Government propose the following; a. a national scheme of delegation – bringing clarity and consistency to everyone about which applications get decided by officers and which by committees; b. dedicated committees for strategic development – allowing a dedicated and small group of councillors to dedicate energy to the most significant projects; and c. training for committee members – requiring that councillors undertake appropriate training before they can form part of a planning committee. Views are being sought (Question 41) from those in the industry or with an interest in planning more generally! Interesting times ahead! Marrons #planning #planningreforms #planningcommittee #labour