The future of the planning system in England

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 8 Oct 2020 Closed: 17 May 2022 Parliament page
In a White Paper, the Government has set out significant changes to streamline the planning system. Proposals include simplified designations for land usage, including automatic permission in principle for development in some areas, greater use of digital technology in the planning process and a National Design Guide to ensure “high … Read more
32 Recommendations
1 Conclusion
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
2 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
17 May
2022
Report published
10 Jun
2021
Report published
7 Dec
2020
Oral evidence
23 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
10 Nov
2020
Correspondence
9 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
8 Oct
2020
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
7 Dec 2020
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Oral evidence
Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Simon Gallagher · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
23 Nov 2020
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Oral evidence
Claire Dutch · Ashurst LLP Ingrid Samuel · National Trust Nigel Wilson · Homes for the North Paula Hewitt · ADEPT Philip Waddy · Royal Institute of British Architects Richard Blyth · Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Steve Quartermain Tony Mulhall · The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
9 Nov 2020
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Oral evidence
Andrew Longley · North Northamptonshire Joint Planning and Delivery Unit Brian Berry · Federation of Master Builders Kate Henderson · National Housing Federation Lisa Fairmaner · Greater London Authority Philip Barnes · Barratt Developments
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - The future of the planning system in England HC 38 10 Jun 2021 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
15 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
The lack of details about the three areas approach has made it difficult to assess...
The lack of details about the three areas approach has made it difficult to assess how it would function. Our evidence has suggested there are problems with the three areas proposal. These have included its potential unsuitability in urban areas; … Read more
Government Response
The government explicitly agrees with the recommendation and confirms it will not be pursuing the three area types proposal in the reformed planning system, having listened to feedback.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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4 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
We were concerned to hear from organisations related to electricity, nuclear and water infrastructure about...
We were concerned to hear from organisations related to electricity, nuclear and water infrastructure about the challenges posed by the Government’s proposed reforms. The Government should explain how it sees vital infrastructure being affected by its proposals. This should include … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to clarify the relationship between plans and infrastructure, noting that statutory consultees can comment on individual sites and infrastructure providers will be required to assist local authorities in drafting local plans.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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6 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
We sympathise with the Government’s wish to enhance the importance of Local Plans in determining...
We sympathise with the Government’s wish to enhance the importance of Local Plans in determining where development should take place. But achieving public acceptance of any increased importance for Local Plans requires them have credibility as an accurate reflection of … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, confirming there will be two rounds of community engagement before Local Plans are submitted, an increased minimum consultation duration, and the retention of the 'right to be heard', along with new guidance.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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8 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
We recognise the value of neighbourhood plans.
We recognise the value of neighbourhood plans. They should have a significant role in the development of new Local Plans. To be effective they need to be up- to-date and representative of the whole community and a clear part of … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to strengthen the role of neighbourhood planning, clarifying its status by introducing new tools like Neighbourhood Priorities Statements and 'street votes' via the Bill, alongside funding initiatives to increase uptake and empowerment.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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9 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
The duty to cooperate between local authorities has operated imperfectly.
The duty to cooperate between local authorities has operated imperfectly. However, we heard strong agreement there needed to be more cooperation between local authorities and that sub-national planning was a weakness of the current system. The Government should only abolish … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees not to abolish the Duty to Cooperate without a replacement and states the Bill will introduce a new 'alignment policy' in the NPPF, alongside encouraging Spatial Development Strategies and greater use of development corporations for strategic planning.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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11 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
We support enhancing public involvement with Local Plans.
We support enhancing public involvement with Local Plans. However, figures cited by the Minister suggest that far more people are involved at the point when individual planning applications are considered than at the local plan stage, and this was backed … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and commits to retaining the ability for all individuals to comment and influence all individual planning proposals in the reformed system, enhanced by digital reforms.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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12 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
It is disappointing that local councillors were not mentioned in the White Paper.
It is disappointing that local councillors were not mentioned in the White Paper. They have a key role to play in both Local Plans and individual planning applications We recommend that the Government set out how the valuable role of … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the critical role of local councillors and states that they will continue to maintain democratic control and make decisions on planning applications, upholding existing processes rather than setting out a new plan.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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13 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
We welcome the greater use of digital technology in the planning system.
We welcome the greater use of digital technology in the planning system. But we recognise the need to ensure those lacking access can know about and participate in the planning process. The Minister suggested that the existing statutory notices on … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation to retain existing statutory notices alongside digital tools to facilitate broad public engagement in the planning system.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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22 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
We agree that the Government’s proposals omitted important issues that should be considered in any...
We agree that the Government’s proposals omitted important issues that should be considered in any changes to the planning system. This was particularly true of the lack of consideration of non-housing issues. Different aspects of the planning system cannot be … Read more
Government Response
The government states its reforms already address many of the listed issues, including climate change, environment, regeneration, and levelling up, which are central to their aims. They look forward to further discussion on these through the National Planning Policy Framework.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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24 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
The Government must clarify how it will replicate the binding nature of Section 106 agreements...
The Government must clarify how it will replicate the binding nature of Section 106 agreements and which parts of the approach will be retained. If they cannot be easily replicated, especially without creating additional complexity, then we recommend retaining Section … Read more
Government Response
The government clarifies its intention to reform developer contributions with a new Infrastructure Levy, developed through consultations, while retaining Section 106 agreements in limited circumstances as a means to pay the Levy.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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27 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
The Government’s reforms require an increase in planning staff, especially those with specific specialist skills,...
The Government’s reforms require an increase in planning staff, especially those with specific specialist skills, such as design. These skills gaps will need to be filled if the planning system is to be improved. The Government must undertake and publish … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the recommendation, stating it is actively working with representatives from local government, the private sector, and professional bodies to develop a comprehensive skills strategy for the planning system, aimed at attracting, developing, and retaining professionals.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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28 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
The Government’s focus on beauty, whilst laudable, must not detract from other important aspects of...
The Government’s focus on beauty, whilst laudable, must not detract from other important aspects of design. The Government must ensure that its national design code, advice for local authorities about local design codes, and other aspects of design The future … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with a broad definition of design and will integrate this through new local design codes, which will be mandated by the Bill and will allow for community engagement at local and site-specific levels.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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30 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
Given the demands for additional housing in urban areas, and the lessons of the COVID-19...
Given the demands for additional housing in urban areas, and the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic about the importance of green spaces for people dwelling in cities and large towns, it is concerning that the Government White Paper did not … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Metropolitan Open Land in the Greater London area already receives the same level of protection as Green Belt under the London Plan, thus addressing the recommendation through existing policy.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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32 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
The Government should clarify how it intends to define flood risk in the planning system.
The Government should clarify how it intends to define flood risk in the planning system. This includes clarifying how this will take account of the possible impact of climate change and how it fits within wider flooding policy.
Government Response
The government clarifies that the updated NPPF places stronger emphasis on climate change and flood risk, requiring all sources of flood risk, including future risk, to be considered in development, with the Environment Bill further supporting resilience.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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33 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The future of the p…
The planning system should pay greater attention to the importance of green spaces and to...
The planning system should pay greater attention to the importance of green spaces and to wildlife near to people’s residences. The Government should reconsider the 108 The future of the planning system in England retention of sustainability assessments and ensure … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that environmental impact must be factored into decision-making and confirms that the Bill will introduce a new outcomes-based framework of environmental assessment to replace existing EU systems, ensuring environmental safeguards are maintained or strengthened.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 32 classified
Accepted 15
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 3
Total 32 recs + 1 conclusion
Correspondence 2 letters
10 Nov 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair dated 3 October concerning the launch of the inquiry into the Future of the Planning System in England
Parliament page
8 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State dated 8 October 2020 concerning the launch of the Committee's inquiry into the future of the planning system in England
Parliament page