The government to set to continue with its plans to ‘modernise’ the planning system, despite criticisms in some quarters.
In a speech earlier today (11 May), the Queen outlined the government’s priorities for the coming year, which include new laws to ‘modernise the planning system, so that more homes can be built’.
These include the Planning Bill and the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill, which will end the practice of ground rents for new leasehold properties.
There was also a commitment to ‘strengthen the economic ties across the union’ by investing in and improving national infrastructure.
These include proposals to transform connectivity by rail and bus [High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill] and to extend 5G mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband [Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill].
‘Whilst the principle of simplifying local plans is a laudable one, we would like to see further detail about the proposed approach to zoning as outlined in the Planning White Paper,’ said the County Councils Network’s housing, planning and infrastructure spokesman, Cllr Tim Oliver.
‘We have concerns over how zoning could be applied in rural and urban locations, with county areas containing a mixture of both. It will be vital that any new system is not a blunt instrument but can respond to different geographies. It will also be important to ensure that communities continue to have a voice when plans are being drawn-up.’
Helen Barnard, the director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Helen Barnard said it was ‘deeply concerned’that providing security for low-paid workers was not a priority in the Queen’s Speech.
‘The government has repeatedly committed to levelling up our country, but with one in eight workers trapped in poverty and many of them hardest hit by the pandemic, many will be in disbelief there was no bill to protect them announced today,’ she said.
‘Having a good job means you can sleep that bit easier knowing that you have enough shifts, and an adequate income, and that your working pattern and conditions meets the needs of you and your family. The government should explain its silence on these issues and reassure workers that they have listened and will take action.’
While Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said it was not a particularly encouraging Queen’s Speech for councils.
‘Everyone agrees that we need to build many, many more houses in this country. It’s less clear that planning is what is preventing us from doing so,’ said Mr Carr-West.
‘These proposals leave local government with the political liability on planning whilst depriving them, and by extension the communities they represent, of the powers to manage it effectively. Are major planning changes on permitted development totally compatible with rejuvenating town centres?
‘And, if we truly want places to be levelled up and to stay levelled up, we need to empower them through genuine devolution not through sporadic government patronage. Governments outside of Westminster have to deliver every day. Westminster politicians love to talk about how they will get on and deliver, but it is councils and mayors that actually do that.The shift of power away from Westminster is already happening, our politics has to catch up somehow.’
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